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History
- Print number 1745a
- Amend and recommit to transportation
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
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Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1745A
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the education law, in relation to electronic monitoring equipment on school buses in the city of New York
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law by inserting a new subdivision 21(j) to require that every new school bus purchased for transportation of seven or more passengers in New York City on or after September first, two thousand eleven, be equipped with a school bus electronic monitoring system, by which is meant one or more electronic devices capable of recording the speed, sound, conduct and movement of persons within the driver and passenger compartments of the bus. Such system may also include one or more devices designed to simulate the appearance of an operable video camera or other device. Every existing bus would have to meet the requirements by 2018.
Read the full memo (814 words)
Section 2 amends the education law by adding new section 3624, to require the Education Commissioner in consultation with the commissioner of DOT and DMV to promulgate regulations concerning the equipping, placement, installation, and use of school bus electronic monitoring systems in school buses in New York City, consistent with the following:
1. All New York City school buses shall be equipped with school bus electronic monitoring systems, that will accomplish the purpose in the most effective and least costly manner.
2. All new buses shall be equipped by September first, 2015.
3. All buses in service shall be equipped by September 1, 2018 (i.e., will be given a three-year transition window).
4. The district is to conduct a demonstration program in September 1, 2013-September 1, 2014, involving 5% of buses in service to determine the most effective and least costly means of accomplishing the goal, and report to the commissioner, the governor and the legislature on the demonstration program.
5. The system is to be used only as an aid to monitor on-board activities.
6. Records must be stored in a secure location for a period of time designated by the commissioner, but not for less than go days, unless there is a report of an incident, in which case the records shall be kept for a period determined by the commissioner.
7. The records are to be reviewed only by designated personnel pursuant to an incident report and on a regular basis using random selection criteria, in order to ensure proper driver and pupil conduct.
8. The commissioner is authorized to waive any provision of the system with respect to the district on a determination that the requirement is impracticable, or financially or physically burdensome and ineffective, or if the district proposes and the commissioner accepts an alternate means of achieving the goal.
9. All pupils and all school bus drivers are to be notified by signs and any other means prescribed by the commissioner that they are subject to being videotaped on a school bus at any time, and parents are to be notified. Drivers, parents and pupils shall be advised what driver conduct and what pupil conduct is prohibited by the state and by the district and that such conduct will result in specified disciplinary consequences as defined in the established discipline policy.
10. At least twice each school year notifications regarding electronic monitoring must occur, addressing the purpose and use of electronic equipment and the need for personal awareness of safety issues, through newsletters, pupil handouts, and notices posted within the bus, etc.
11. Records are to remain confidential and shall be used only for the purpose of disciplinary and enforcement proceedings.
Section 3 amends paragraph c of subdivision 2 of section 3623-a of the education law, to allow the equipping of school buses to be State aidable.
Justification
This legislation is the result of a series of shocking revelations uncovered by the New York Daily News of sex abuse and violence taking place on school buses. In 2006, 55,000 school buses transported 2.3 million children daily in New York State. School buses carry the world's most precious cargo, and we need to ensure that they provide a safe and secure environment for our kids. New Yorkers place more than 2 million children on the school bus each morning, and everyone of these kids should be able to arrive safely at their destination. By placing cameras on buses and requiring background checks for school bus attendants, we can help keep our kids safe and provide parents across the State with greater peace of mind. When a parent places their child on a school bus each morning, they should be secure in the knowledge that their child will return home safely and free from harm.
Prior legislative history
2007-08: S.4157E - Referred to Transportation, Local Fiscal Impact Note, passed Senate 2009-10: S.2583 - Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
130 days after it becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.