SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 362

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 18, 1996

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 362.

      This bill requires the installation of a crossing control arm on all school buses with a chassis manufacture date on or after the first day of the sixth month following enactment. The bill provides, however, that the use of the crossing control arm will not be required on school bus routes where no pupil need cross a street prior to boarding or upon leaving the bus.

      A crossing control arm is a safety device which is attached to the right front corner of a school bus. Each time the bus door is opened, the arm extends outward from the front of the bus. Its purpose is to prevent children who must cross the street after exiting the bus from walking too close to the front where the driver may be unable to see them.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.