ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4607

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 18, 2025

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4607.

      As amended, this bill establishes the Special Education Transportation Task Force.  The purpose of the task force is to study and make recommendations for best practices in transporting students who receive special education and related services, including preventing, identifying, and responding to medical and behavioral emergencies.

      The task force would consist of 23 members, including the Commissioner of Education, the Director of the Office of Special Education within Department of Education, the Special Education Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families, and 19 public members to be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the commissioner.

      The bill directs the task force to study and make recommendations as to best practices for the transportation of students who receive special education and related services, which are to include: (1) appropriate policies and training of school staff and school bus staff that address preventing, identifying, and responding to medical and behavioral emergencies that occur while transporting students who receive special education and related services on a school bus; (2) certification requirements for school bus drivers, school bus aides, and school nurses that transport students who receive special education and related services; and (3) school transportation as a component of the Individualized Education Program process. 

      In undertaking its work under the provisions of the bill, the task force is required to: (1) review best practices in other states; (2) review current school transportation policies specific to students who receive special education and related services; and (3) identify areas of concern for transportation of these students, including those related to safety, access to necessary equipment, communication with parents and legal guardians, and staffing needs.

      Pursuant to the provisions of the bill, the task force is required to issue a report of its recommendations to the Governor and Legislature no later than 12 months after the organization of the task force.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4607 is identical to Senate Bill No. 3447 (1R), which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

· increase the membership of the task force from 18 to 23 members to include a representative from Disability Rights New Jersey, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, and the New Jersey Association of Special Education Partner Schools;

· clarify the task force would study and make recommendations on: certification requirements for school bus drivers, school bus aides, and school nurses that transport students who receive special education and related services; and school transportation as a component of the Individualized Education Program process; and

· make technical corrections related to the representation of a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist on the task force.