ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2757

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 5, 2017

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2757 (1R).

      This bill establishes a minimum ratio of school bus aides to special needs students on a school bus.

     Under the bill, a board of education or a contracted service provider that provides pupil transportation services must 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.”

      As reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4332 with committee amendments, which was also reported by the committee on this same date.