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Bill > S3343
NJ S3343
NJ S3343Clarifies 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
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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 hired to transport students to and from school or school-related activities like field trips or athletic events. This means that drug offenses committed on or near these types of buses will be subject to the same stricter penalties as those committed on school property. The bill was prompted by an incident where a school bus driver was arrested for drug use while operating a school bus on a field trip.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 02/05/2026)
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/S3343 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3343_I1.HTM |
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