[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,85],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6127178,"mediaKeyId","2663822-51c441967bd31065e9eafdb404077b5b","parentId",2663822,"title","Senate committee advances bill requiring 911 calls, equipment and training on buses that carry students with disabilities","audioSeconds",1790,"startMs",56000,"endMs",1846000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663822-51c441967bd31065e9eafdb404077b5b&start=56&end=1846","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663822-51c441967bd31065e9eafdb404077b5b/thumbnail_56000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127178/New-Jersey/Senate-committee-advances-bill-requiring-911-calls-equipment-and-training-on-buses-that-carry-students-with-disabilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127178-bb56952d1161f56ed31d3847c971145c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063859&Signature=Yns9M3KOFGjPKDrf3oORy-6dVuPUwic4cUhBPnT5iRfOlwl94wUgY0Dom5zPlGI~Gd2D11DDkYpY10O0FQF-lNxm8zQdAuptEAEN859egkgGHoXyttX7jnEXLnk6K68M8LyUuadQyz7QgTq8zASCaJ2zS-dGGd4vxTnfi51wF74qQx0HckGqRazDPP~b9f6iyuB4223QnIwhO9gM201klKO5etDf3I5aAZKmEwX1yRkBnVqx1ovIEVT8UxjalOCZEAxSOmvmt-tZb~c7cFQZhDI3LqQFiru0JR0sStPfjYsV6WURXSbgiboMxPznxFtBxdtbm66ovj2WrBTwPtVttA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Jersey Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 3858, which would require school bus personnel transporting students with disabilities to call 911 in a potential life‑threatening emergency, expand training for staff who supervise special‑education students on buses, and require certain safety equipment on buses that transport students with disabilities, was released by the Senate Committee on Education after a public hearing and testimony from families, advocates and education groups.

The bill matters to families of students with disabilities because, supporters said, transportation is an extention of the school day and currently can lack consistent training, clear emergency protocols and accountability. Jonathan Pushman, director of government relations for the New Jersey School Boards Association, said the association “supports the spirit and intent of this legislation” while noting budget concerns tied to vehicle equipment costs. A family that identified itself as the Rossi family described the death of their 19‑year‑old son after bus staff did not call 911 and urged passage: “Can you put a price tag on a child's life?”

Supporters framed the bill as closing gaps between vehicle safety and individualized student safety. Mark Regan, chief of staff for Senator Anthony Bucco (the bill sponsor), read Bucco’s statement into the record, saying the sponsor introduced S3858 to ensure statewide, standardized safety measures for students with disabilities. Paul Aronson, New Jersey’s ombudsman for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families, told the committee his office has documented concerns including “lack of adequate communication with families, lack of operational cameras in school vehicles, lack of training on the part of drivers and aids, and the lack of accountability on the part of local school districts.” He recommended stronger training and accountability provisions.

District and school‑representative witnesses generally supported the bill’s training and 911 directive but warned of financial implications for districts if equipment requirements are broad. Jonathan Pushman and Jenny Lamont, assistant director of government relations for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, asked that any equipment mandates be paired with funding: “Budget is a statement of priorities, and this is clearly an important one,” Lamont said, arguing that many buses likely carry at least one student with a disability and districts may need state budget support to implement equipment changes.

Committee members acknowledged the need for accountability and funding. Chair Senator Gopal said the bill will go to the budget committee for further consideration and encouraged sponsors and stakeholders to continue negotiations on funding and implementation details. Senator Corrado thanked the Rossi family and pledged to keep working with advocates.

The committee voted to release the bill out of committee. The motion was made by Senator Corrado and seconded by Senator Henry; the roll call recorded yes votes from Senators Henry, Corrado, McKean, Turner and Gopal. The committee chair stated the bill is being sent to the budget committee.

What remains unresolved are the precise funding sources and the final specifications for equipment required on buses. Several witnesses pointed to an Office of Legislative Services estimate (cited in testimony) that equipment costs could be significant; school‑system witnesses urged that legislative language either be amended to phase in equipment or be paired with an appropriation so districts would not be forced to absorb costs.

Stakeholders said they will continue to work with sponsors on technical amendments, funding language and the scope of any equipment requirements before the bill reaches the floor. The committee’s action advances S3858 but leaves key budget and implementation questions to the next stages of the legislative process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Monday, March 17, 2025 - 10:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 3858, which would require school bus personnel transporting students with disabilities to call 911 in potential life‑threatening emergencies, expand training and require safety equipment on such buses, was released by the Senate Committee on Education after family testimony and stakeholder remarks.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative Sessions, New Jersey","taxId",77696,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127168,"Senate Education Committee: votes and actions on education bills (March 17, 2025)",0,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663822-51c441967bd31065e9eafdb404077b5b&start=56&end=56","/articles/6127168/New-Jersey/Senate-Education-Committee-votes-and-actions-on-education-bills-March-17-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127168-21852ab415570f14b44bbec8acd7a748/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063859&Signature=jizFOg1IPEikk7TnhM-Yb~OIXaOdWaEFhgD3cxiJt3frCInrjN0U-jcLoc47pMRU1~IlLTrOYEXg-1kyff6Ynnp94UIP2K8CnlM1n1RWwG1I13Ub7OtRvCDWHS5NNXtgbpi71K6-DQYU2weqrXbRl0AT4Igu6-g4BTzwPfBrnd2jA1pzUJh06tOBQGMPATfHR3UubHboASm5c7F2KL0I6~9FJA8gghWs8sHGFqj3JkhTnkr19HQnb7IdPBJOOuvSpUjoAX6PYrr5vXUSGZd~TGBj153sCQ64CAkegLgvFpSmgHShGq65rUpsj9JtuoZH9Nsr0anKeT18AqOxcdyoRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Jersey Senate Committee on Education met March 17, 2025, and took action on a range of education bills. Below are short summaries of each bill the committee voted on and the outcome of the committee vote. Several bills were released to the budget committee for further consideration; two bills were discussed only and will be revisited later.

Votes at a glance

- S3858 (special‑education transportation safety): Released to budget committee after testimony from families and stakeholder groups; motion by Senator Corrado; second by Senator Henry; recorded yes votes: Henry, Corrado, McKean, Turner, Gopal. Committee requested budget and implementation language. (See separate article for full hearing.)

- S908 (portable anti‑choking devices in schools): Released to budget committee after family and vendor testimony; motion by Senator Corrado; second by Senator Henry; recorded yes votes: Henry, Corrado, McKean, Turner, Gopal. Committee asked sponsors to consider device‑verification language and funding/donation mechanisms.

- S3118 (regional school aid protections, with committee amendments): Committee released the bill with two members abstaining to obtain more information; recorded roll call: Senator Henry abstained, Senator Corrado abstained, Senators McKean, Turner and Gopal voted yes. Outcome: released to the budget committee.

- S3222 (cybersecurity instruction and loan redemption): Committee released the bill. Witnesses from school boards and administrators supported the bill’s goals but requested amendments to leave local curriculum choices to districts and to phase implementation; the committee recorded unanimous yes votes and released the bill.

- S3457 (New Jersey out‑of‑school time advisory commission): Released by committee after testimony from after‑school providers and nonprofit partners; committee unanimously released the bill.

- S3933 (school supervisor mentorship pilot): Released unanimously after testimony describing leadership shortages and the need for mentorship funding and a pilot appropriation.

- S3982 (IEP draft notice and working group): Committee released a proposed committee substitute. Testimony highlighted arguments for earlier parent access to draft IEP information and also raised concerns from parent‑advocacy organizations about the scope of information provided and composition of the proposed working group; the committee released the bill with votes recorded as yes.

- S4162 (limits on disclosure of certain education records): Committee released the bill. Testimony from the Education Law Center and others addressed privacy and implementation details; the committee recorded yes votes and released the bill.

- S4223 (health benefits for certain pension program members): Moved from another committee and released; the committee recorded yes votes and released the bill.

Discussion only (no committee vote taken at this meeting)

- S1778 (voluntary taxpayer contributions for state school aid): Committee held the bill for discussion only to gather feedback from stakeholders and will revisit it in a future meeting.

- S3141 (public education innovation fund with tax credits for corporate donations): The committee heard opposition testimony from Education Law Center urging stronger investment through the school funding formula rather than tax credits; the bill was held for further discussion.

What the committee asked for next

Committee members routinely directed sponsors to work with stakeholders — especially school administrators, local districts and advocacy groups — to refine budget and implementation language before the bills move to the floor. Several items (S3858, S908, S3118 and S3982) were explicitly routed to the budget committee so funding and procurement or program specifications can be addressed. The committee also asked sponsors to consider vendor‑verification language for devices and to clarify data privacy and reporting protocols in bills that touch student records and financial aid.

How to follow up

Stakeholders and members of the public can watch committee materials and future budget‑committee hearings for updated bill text and appropriation language. Sponsors signaled continued stakeholder engagement, including work on technical amendments and budget allocations ahead of potential floor votes.","The committee released a package of education bills and advanced several others to the budget committee; two bills were taken up for discussion only. This roundup lists each bill, the committee action and key details from testimony where relevant.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127173,"Committee releases bill to require portable anti‑choking devices in New Jersey schools after family testimony and vendor demonstrations",2665,1790000,4455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663822-51c441967bd31065e9eafdb404077b5b&start=1790&end=4455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663822-51c441967bd31065e9eafdb404077b5b/thumbnail_1790000.jpg","/articles/6127173/New-Jersey/Committee-releases-bill-to-require-portable-antichoking-devices-in-New-Jersey-schools-after-family-testimony-and-vendor-demonstrations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127173-19138d68cc59a2125443bb2924cd8363/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063859&Signature=H1HFE-SbR1-tzxChQ4NaxsSF4a8W9gFja4kXQyiqymGOanb3~WiLaOkqL1SD~c7HO1K3s4rbgo3-v55JOzVFJKZlOm3WZEZiIhxM3svyVVmTUq9a-LOimehQSQQamtdaebQKSsaAEO1P6kbzTMlc5URfG2AsdESvtNa4yADNw06OWdmY-KuaiNoMrtAhj6t7wjmocbf-64OMGDtb8kdfYsKtkXjuBkrJ~XAQgPfzc3cP7uOMhakankzDQHcZEyf2RXXBJAvrvs~n0VrFgoIkihVDKgWMO8MWxKCbEd4wohj1QKvQflzxZerXhymoiB7h7h2LjIhqeXk23nJmkT7h4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 908, proposing that New Jersey schools keep portable anti‑choking (airway‑clearance) devices on site, was released by the Senate Committee on Education after passionate testimony from families, advocates and device manufacturers and a period of questioning from senators.

The hearing featured multiple first‑hand accounts. Kim Chambers and Darren Chambers, founders of Maverick’s Legacy and parents who lost their infant son to a choking emergency, urged lawmakers to require airway‑clearance devices in schools, saying the devices are a lifesaving backup when basic first‑aid protocols fail. Kim Chambers described her son’s accident and told the committee that “if we or any of the first responders had a portable anti‑choking device … I firmly believe that Maverick's choking accident would have had a different ending.” Darren Chambers added that donated devices had already helped save lives in other settings and urged the state to place devices where children eat and in nurse’s offices.

Heidi Felix, vice president of sales for LifeVac (a U.S.‑based manufacturer), described the device, training requirements and the company’s replacement policy: she said LifeVac has recorded more than 3,710 reported lives saved and that the company provides replacement devices after a verified use. She testified that a unit retails for about $70 and that replacement face masks carry a 2–3 year expiration date. Several witnesses said training is brief and online modules exist; others noted some first‑responder organizations have not taken a formal endorsement position and urged clear procurement guidance to avoid counterfeit or non‑FDA‑registered products.

Witnesses pointed to the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council’s 2023 guidance recognizing airway‑clearance devices as an option when standard protocols are not feasible. Opponents were not prominent at the hearing; committee members asked detailed questions about vendor verification, product standards and the role of state agencies in certifying devices for school use.

Committee members expressed support for the bill’s life‑saving intent but raised technical questions about procurement and vendor verification. Senator Turner asked whether devices were present in New Jersey schools and about unit cost and maintenance; witnesses said LifeVac had donated more than 1,200 units in New Jersey and reported multiple reported saves in schools and police departments. Committee members suggested adding language requiring use of FDA‑registered devices or another vetting step so small districts would not inadvertently purchase unverified products.

The committee voted to release S908. The motion was made by Senator Corrado and seconded by Senator Henry; roll call recorded yes votes from Senators Henry, Corrado, McKean, Turner and Gopal. The bill was released to the budget committee for further consideration, including possible procurement or vendor‑verification language and budget or donation provisions.

Next steps identified by senators and witnesses include specifying any required device standards (for example, FDA registration), adding indemnity or limited‑liability language for good‑faith use, clarifying whether devices should be placed on school buses in addition to school sites, and ensuring an appropriation or donation plan for districts with limited budgets. Witnesses and advocates said they will continue to work with sponsors to refine those implementation details before the bill advances further.","The committee released S908, which would require portable airway‑clearance devices in schools. Families who lost children to choking and advocacy groups urged passage; manufacturers and advocates described devices, training, costs and evidence. Committee recorded a unanimous committee release to the budget committee.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate committee advances bill requiring 911 calls, equipment and training on buses that carry students with disabilities

Senate Education Committee: votes and actions on education bills (March 17, 2025)

Committee releases bill to require portable anti‑choking devices in New Jersey schools after family testimony and vendor demonstrations