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Senate committee advances bill to tighten school‑bus safety rules for students with disabilities after family testimony
Summary
After testimony from the Rossi family and disability advocates about preventable deaths on school buses, the Senate Education Committee released S3858 to require training, 911 notification in life‑threatening emergencies and certain safety equipment on buses transporting students with disabilities. The bill is headed to budget consideration for funding details.
Chairman Gopal and the Senate Education Committee advanced Senate Bill 3858 on March 17 after emotional testimony from families and support from disability advocates and education groups.
The Rossi family told the panel that their 19‑year‑old son Matthew died on Feb. 10, 2023, after bus personnel failed to call for emergency help and did not communicate crucial facts to the family. “We said goodbye to our 19 year old son, Matthew, as he boarded his school bus, happy and healthy as ever,” a member of the Rossi family said, describing alleged neglect by the nurse, driver and bus aide. The family urged lawmakers to require clearer emergency protocols and accountability for the personnel who transport students with disabilities.
Paul Aronson, New Jersey’s ombudsman for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, told the committee that thousands of students are transported to out‑of‑district programs and that many districts contract with multiple small vendors. Aronson said his office has documented gaps in communication, camera use and driver/aide training and told lawmakers the legislation addresses long‑standing accountability problems.
Advocacy and education groups including the New Jersey School Boards Association and the principals’ association said they supported the bill’s training and 911 requirements but urged lawmakers to budget for equipment and implementation. Jonathan Pushman of the NJSBA said the bill’s goals are sound but flagged potential fiscal impacts from requirements that could apply broadly in a partly integrated transportation system.
Committee members asked whether individualized education program (IEP) teams and local district procedures already address some needs. Officials and witnesses said IEPs should be part of the solution but that consistent statewide minimums — including a clear requirement to call 911 in life‑threatening situations and targeted training for all bus personnel who supervise students with disabilities — are necessary to prevent future tragedies.
Senator Corrado moved to release S3858 from committee with a second from Senator Henry. The roll‑call vote recorded affirmative votes from Senators Henry, Corrado, McKean, Turner and Gopal; the committee released the bill. The chair noted the bill will proceed to the budget process for consideration of funding for equipment and training.
What happens next: S3858 will be considered in the budget process so the legislature and administration can resolve funding questions raised by districts and stakeholders.
