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Bill > S2706


NJ S2706

NJ S2706
Clarifies that school bus for purpose of upgraded penalties in "school zone" criminal drug laws includes any bus owned and operated by board of education or by private contractor.


summary

Introduced
02/15/2024
In Committee
02/15/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill amends the "school zone" laws which upgrade criminal penalties for selling or possessing controlled dangerous substances while on or near school property and school buses. The bill adds language to clarify that "school bus" includes any bus owned and operated by a board of education or owned and operated by a private contractor for the purpose of transporting students to and from a school or transporting students to and from school-related activities, including, but not limited to, field trips, athletic events or other school-sanctioned events. The sponsor was prompted to seek this clarification following an incident in which a school bus driver in Hamilton was arrested for smoking marijuana while driving a school bus on a field trip.

AI Summary

This bill clarifies that for the purposes of enhanced criminal penalties related to drug offenses in "school zones," the term "school bus" includes any bus that is owned and operated by a board of education or by a private contractor, as long as it is used to transport students to and from school or school-related activities like field trips or athletic events. This change aims to ensure that individuals committing drug offenses on or near any such bus face the same stricter legal consequences as if they were on school property itself, addressing a situation where a school bus driver was found smoking marijuana while driving students on a field trip.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 02/15/2024)

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