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Bill

A 2248

Enacts the college textbook affordability act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by William Colton and 2 co-sponsors

Transportation agencies must review and adopt accessible design practices to enable independent travel for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 2248

Summary of Bill A 2248

Note on title vs. text: The bill is listed as “Enacts the college textbook affordability act,” but the introduced version text provided below concerns transportation mobility and accessibility for persons with autism and developmental disabilities. The summary reflects the actual introduced content.

Purpose and intent

  • To improve transportation accessibility for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities.
  • The bill tasks state and local agencies with reviewing and updating transportation infrastructure design to enable independent travel for this population.

Key provisions

  1. Infrastructure design review and adoption
  2. The Department of Transportation (DOT), in conjunction with the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) and the Department of Human Services (DHS), must conduct a holistic review of current design practices for:
    • New public highways
    • Public transportation projects (as defined in relevant statutes)

  3. After the review, DOT, NJT, and DHS must adopt new and revised design practices and measures to improve infrastructure so that individuals with autism and developmental disabilities can travel independently.

  4. Nationwide best practices study

  5. The same agencies must study nationwide best practices to identify ways to operate:

    • Public roadway facilities
    • Public transportation services
    • Mobility programs funded or operated by DHS

  6. The goal of the study is to make these transportation services and mobility programs more accessible for the target populations.

  7. Local alignment and funding

  8. DOT is to encourage regional and local entities applying for Local Aid funding (local aid program under the same statutory framework) to adopt comparable design policies and best practices aligned with state-level measures adopted under subsections (a) and (b).

Agencies involved

  • Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT)
  • Department of Human Services (DHS)

Effective date

  • The act is stated to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Procedural history and status

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024
  • Initial referral: Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee
  • Later status (as listed): Referred to Higher Education on January 15, 2025 (noting the mismatch with the policy focus, which is transportation accessibility)
  • Sponsors:
    • Primary: Angelo Santabarbara
    • Cosponsors: William Colton, Joe DeStefano
  • Related bills: S 933 (companion), and several prior-session bills (A 8296, A 2961, A 2676, A 2771)

Who is affected

  • Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities (beneficiaries of improved travel independence)
  • Transportation infrastructure designers and planners (state and local)
  • DOT, NJT, and DHS (implementing agencies)
  • Regional and local governments/entities seeking Local Aid funding (potentially required to conform to new design practices)

Potential impact

  • Short term: Initiation of comprehensive reviews and a study of best practices; guidance issued to align state and local projects with accessibility objectives.
  • Long term: Design and operational changes to highways, transit facilities, and mobility programs that enhance independent travel for people with autism and developmental disabilities; potential increased emphasis on accessibility in project funding and local matching programs.

Observations

  • The bill emphasizes inclusive design and accessibility standards in transportation, encouraging consistency across state and local levels.
  • The immediate effect clause suggests rapid initiation of reviews and studies, with later adoption of updated practices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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