SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3447

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 3447 with committee amendments.

     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 is to consist of 22 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 18 public members to be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the commissioner.

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

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

· increase the membership of the task force from 18 to 22 members to include a representative from Disability Rights New Jersey, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, the New Jersey Education Association, and ASAH; and

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