SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 3852

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JUNE 10, 2021

 

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3852.

      As reported, this bill amends current law to hold a board of education or school bus contractor responsible if they approve or assign an individual, as a driver or substitute driver of a school bus, without first complying with the provisions of law concerning the training, certification, and criminal history record checks of school bus drivers.  The bill increases the fines associated with such an action from not more than $5,000 for each offense to not more than $5,000 for the first offense, not more than $10,000 for the second offense, and not more than $15,000 for a third and each subsequent offense.  The bill clarifies that it will not be a defense to avoid liability that a board of education or contractor unknowingly failed to comply with the provisions of law concerning the training, certification, and criminal history record checks of school bus drivers.