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Bill > A1688
NJ A1688
NJ A1688Requires minimum of one school bus aide for every 15 special needs students on school bus.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires a board of education or a contracted service provider that provides pupil transportation services to ensure that a school bus has on board at least one school bus aide for every 15 students with special needs. The bill requires this aide-to-student ratio to be maintained at all times when a school bus is transporting students with special needs or a combination of students with special needs and general education students. For purposes of this bill, a "student with special needs" is a student who is classified as eligible for special education programs and services, but does not include a student who is classified as eligible for special education programs and services solely on the basis of a "specific learning disability," as that term is defined in the federal "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act."
AI Summary
This bill mandates that any school district or its contracted transportation provider must ensure that school buses carrying students with special needs, or a mix of students with special needs and general education students, have at least one school bus aide for every 15 such students. A "student with special needs" is defined as a student eligible for special education programs and services, but importantly, this definition excludes students who are only identified as having a "specific learning disability" under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a law that provides federal funding and guidelines for special education. The bill takes effect immediately but will apply starting with the next full school year after it becomes law.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1688 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1688_I1.HTM |
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