Bill > A500

Introduced Session

This bill requires a board of education to award certain transportation contracts for students with disabilities to the most appropriate bidder and requires the board of education to hold a transportation meeting prior to awarding these contracts. Under the bill, a board of education entering into a contract to provide transportation to a student with a disability with special transportation requirements is required to award the contract to the bidder or vendor whose bid will be most appropriate for the student with a disability with special transportation requirements and the board of education considering price, the outcomes of the transportation meeting required by the bill, and other factors. This differs from current State law, which generally requires school transportation contracts to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Additionally, the bill requires a board of education to, prior to awarding contracts for the transportation of a student with a disability with special transportation requirements, arrange a transportation meeting with the parent or guardian of the student. The meeting would involve the parent or guardian, the bidder or vendor submitting bids on the contract, the student's case manager, and representatives from the school district, to discuss the transportation needs of the student and ensure the bidder or vendor can adequately perform the services necessary to transport the student in accordance with the student's individualized education program. The board of education is required to consider the outcome of the transportation meeting when awarding the transportation contract. The board is prohibited from awarding the contract to a bidder or vendor who fails to demonstrate an ability to adequately perform the services necessary to transport the student.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Al Barlas (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document