Bill Text: NJ A3310 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Revises penalties for a school bus driver who leaves a pupil on a school bus at the end of his route.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A3310 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A3310-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Revises penalties for a school bus driver who leaves a pupil on a school bus at the end of his route.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the conduct of school bus drivers, amending P.L.2007, c.77, and repealing section 3 of P.L.2007, c.77.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.2007, c.77 (C.18A:39-29) is amended to read as follows:
2. In the event that, after notice and opportunity to be heard, a school bus driver is found to have left a pupil on the school bus at the end of his route, [his school bus endorsement] the driver shall [be]:
a. [suspended for six months, for a first offense; or] have his school bus endorsement permanently revoked; and
b. [permanently revoked, for a second offense] be immediately terminated from employment by the employing board of education or school bus contractor.
(cf: P.L.2007, c.77, s.2)
2. Section 3 of P.L.2007, c.77 (C.18A:39-30) is repealed.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under P.L.2007, c.77 (C.18A:39-28 et seq.), a school bus driver must visually inspect the school bus to which he is assigned at the end of the transportation route to determine that no pupil has been left on the bus. Current law provides that a school bus driver who is found to have left a pupil on the school bus at the end of his route will have his school bus endorsement suspended for six months, for a first offense, and have his school bus endorsement permanently revoked, for a second offense. This bill revises these penalties to provide that in the event that a school bus driver is found to have left a pupil on the school bus at the end of his route, he will:
a. have his school bus endorsement permanently revoked; and
b. be immediately terminated from employment by the employing board of education or school bus contractor.
This bill also repeals section 3 of P.L.2007, c.77 (C.18A:39-30), concerning the permanent revocation of a driver's school bus endorsement in cases of gross negligence. The section is no longer necessary in light of the changes made under the bill.
