Bill > A4607

Introduced Session

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 18 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 14 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, including recommendations as to 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 these students on a school bus. In undertaking its work under the provisions of the 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 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 Categories

Al Barlas (R)*,  Chris DePhillips (R)*,  Sterley Stanley (D)*,  John Azzariti (R),  Michele Matsikoudis (R),  Gerry Scharfenberger (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 06/20/2024)

Official Document