Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MARLENE CARIDE
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires display of identifying information on rear of school bus so public may report bus driver misconduct.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning school buses and amending P.L.1965, c.119.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.1965, c.119 (C.39:3B-2) is amended to read as follows:
a. There shall be displayed on every bus subject to the provisions of section 1 of [this act] P.L.1965, c.119 (C.39:3B-1) signs or legends which will, insofar as practicable, inform the driver of any vehicle concerning the duty imposed upon him by law with respect to passing such bus, while it is loading or unloading. [Such] The signs or legends shall be in [such] a color, form, and design as will meet the requirements prescribed by the State Board of Education, which requirements shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Title or any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto.
b. An agency, board of education, nonpublic school, or school bus contractor operating a school bus subject to the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1965, c.119 (C.39:3B-1) shall display across the rear of the school bus a telephone number, website address, or other identifying information that allows the public to report a bus driver’s misconduct while operating the school bus. The letters shall be of a color that contrasts with the color of the school bus.
(cf: P.L.1965, c.119, s.2)
2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first be applicable to the school year beginning on July 1st after the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires an agency, board of education, nonpublic school, or school bus contractor that operates school buses to display across the rear of the school bus a phone number, website address, or other identifying information that allows the public to report a bus driver’s misconduct while operating the school bus. A school bus operator that displays the identifying information would be required to use letters of a color that contrasts with the color of the bus.
Current regulations of the Department of Transportation (N.J.A.C.13:20-49C.18 (d)) provide that there can be no lettering on the front or rear of a school bus other than the words “SCHOOL BUS.” This bill allows school bus operators to display identifying information that would permit the public to report a bus driver’s misconduct. The bill is to take effect immediately and be applicable to the next school year beginning on July 1st.