SENATE, No. 2601

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 8, 2014

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  ROBERT M. GORDON

District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)

Senator  M. TERESA RUIZ

District 29 (Essex)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Madden

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Allows student with disability to bring service animal on school bus.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning the use of service animals by certain students on school buses and amending P.L.2011, c.156. 

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Section 2 of P.L.2011, c.156 (C.18A:46-13.3) is amended to read as follows:

     2.    a.  A student with a disability, including autism, shall be permitted access for a service animal in school buildings, including the classroom, on school buses, and on school grounds.

     b.    A school official may inquire as to whether the service animal is required due to a disability and what task or work the service animal has been trained to perform, unless the student's disability and the work or task that the service animal will perform are readily apparent.  A school official may require: (1) certification from a veterinarian that the service animal is properly vaccinated and does not have a contagious disease that may harm students or staff; and (2) documentation that any license required by the municipality in which the student resides has been obtained for the service animal.

     c.    The service animal shall be under a handler's control at all times by use of a leash, tether, voice control, signal, or other suitable means.  The school shall not be responsible or liable for the care or supervision of the service animal.  The school shall provide reasonable accommodations to allow the handler to provide for the care and feeding of the service animal while on school grounds or at a school function.

(cf: P.L.2011, c.156, s.2)

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     Current law allows a student with a disability, including autism, to have a service animal in school buildings and on school grounds. This bill expands the law to permit a student with a disability to bring a service animal on a school bus.