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S 3858

Requires epinephrine auto-injector devices at children's overnight, summer day and traveling summer camps

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Requires 911 calls for life-threatening emergencies on buses serving students with disabilities, adds on-bus cameras, GPS, two-way comms, expanded training, and state funding.

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Bill Summary · S 3858

Summary — S-3858 (1R): School bus safety for students with disabilities

Status and sponsors
- Introduced: Nov 18, 2024 (Sen. Anthony M. Bucco; co‑sponsored by Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. and others)
- Senate: Reported with amendments (SBA) 6/26/2025; Passed Senate 39–0 (6/30/2025)
- Referred to Assembly Education Committee (received in Assembly 7/24/2025)
- Classified: Bill (companion: A-5142 / A-184)

Purpose
- Strengthen safety protocols, training, equipment, and oversight for school buses that transport students with disabilities (specifically those identified as having special transportation requirements), and require timely 911 notification and Department of Education reporting for potential life‑threatening emergencies.

Key provisions
1. 911 notification and reporting
- Requires any school bus personnel (drivers, aides, and any other staff responsible for student safety on a school bus) to call 911 for assistance when a "potential life‑threatening emergency" occurs or is reasonably believed to be occurring on the bus.
- The personnel member must report the 911 call to the Department of Education. Boards of education and contractors must retain records of such calls; the Department must also maintain records.
- Parents/guardians who believe a required 911 call was not made may file complaints with the Department. Personnel found to have violated the 911/ reporting requirements may face civil penalties.

  1. Expanded training requirements

    • Employers (boards of education and contracted transportation providers) must provide required safety and disability‑interaction training to all school bus personnel who work on buses, not only drivers and aides.
    • The Commissioner of Education must update the training to include recognition of behaviors or signs that may indicate a potential life‑threatening emergency; that update must be made available within 180 days of the bill’s effective date.
    • Employers must provide the disability‑interaction training twice per calendar year after the initial administration; certifications of completion must be retained and forwarded to the Department of Education.

  2. Required on‑bus equipment (applies to buses transporting one or more students with disabilities with special transportation requirements)

    • Interior video camera to monitor student safety.
    • Global positioning system (GPS) providing real‑time location and speed.
    • Two‑way communications equipment (may include cellular/wireless telephone).
    • Video footage and GPS data must be retained for at least 180 days.

  3. Inspections and funding

    • The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) must include inspection of the required equipment in in‑terminal school bus inspections for qualifying buses.
    • The bill permits boards/contractors to apply to NJ MVC for funds to purchase and install the equipment (application process to be determined by the Chief Administrator).
    • Appropriates from the General Fund to NJ MVC “such sums as are necessary” (open‑ended appropriation) to support equipment purchase/installation and related administration.

Scope / definitions
- The equipment and inspection requirements apply to school buses that transport one or more students with disabilities who are identified, pursuant to school funding law, as needing special transportation requirements.
- “Potential life‑threatening emergency” is defined in the bill as a situation in which a prudent person could reasonably believe immediate intervention is necessary to protect life (includes medical or behavioral emergencies or immediate threats of fatal injury).

Fiscal and administrative impact
- Office of Legislative Services (OLS) labels State and local fiscal impacts as indeterminate.
- Primary fiscal effect: State costs to NJ MVC to fund equipment purchases and installations for qualifying buses; the bill authorizes an open‑ended appropriation. OLS estimates per‑bus equipment/installation cost range roughly $1,100–$3,900; past similar estimates suggested statewide costs could reach tens of millions depending on bus counts.
- Local school district costs to install equipment would increase but are intended to be covered by State funds.
- Potential indeterminate administrative costs to the Department of Education (training updates, recordkeeping, complaint investigations) and NJ MVC (additional inspection duties), partially offset by inspection fees and potential civil/penalty revenue (likely minor).

Effective/implementation notes
- Training program update incorporation: Department must make updated training available within 180 days of the bill’s effective date.
- Employers must administer new/updated training to existing qualifying personnel within specified short timeframes (e.g., 90–180 days depending on provision).
- Certification and recordkeeping duties are imposed on employers and the Department for oversight and complaint resolution.

Who is affected
- School bus personnel (drivers, aides, attendants, and any staff responsible for student safety on buses)
- Boards of education and contracted pupil transportation providers
- Students with disabilities who require special transportation, their parents/guardians
- Department of Education and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (administration, inspection, and funding roles)

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

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