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History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
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Provides for all school buses to be equipped with on-board video cameras; for policies and procedures relating to their use; and for financing their installation
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S256
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to providing for the installation and use of video monitoring systems on school buses
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 Amends the Education Law by adding a new section 3624-a. Provides that the Commissioner of Education (in consultation with the Department of Transportation) shall promulgate regulations requiring each school bus used to transport students to be equipped with a video monitoring system. Requires districts to establish policies on the use of such systems, linking them to the district's code of conduct and policies on discipline and vehicle operation. Provides for notification to students and drivers that videotaping may occur and for storage and review of such videotape by district staff.
Section 2 Amends section 3621 of the Education Law by adding a new subdivision 13-a. Defines "school bus video monitoring system."
Section 3 Amends section 3623-a(2)(c) of the Education Law. Includes the purchase and installation of school bus video monitoring systems as a proper school district expense.
Section 4 Amends section 375 of the Vehicle & Traffic Law by adding a new subdivision 21-j. Authorizes the Commissioner of Transportation to adopt any necessary conforming regulations for the use of school bus video monitoring systems on school buses.
Section 5 - Effective Date
Existing law
None.
Justification
Due to the increasing number of incidents occurring on our school buses, including violent activities and actions that endanger passengers and drivers, there is a need to provide additional measures to permit behavior on buses to be monitored, evaluated and responded to on a timely basis. Video monitoring will greatly assist school districts in providing a clear understanding of conduct in such cases.
As recently as June, 2012, as school bus monitor in the Town of Greece, NY was verbally abused and taunted by a group of middle school students. The episode was captured on a student's cell phone and made headline news. Once school officials became aware of what transpired, the police were contacted. The local school district has taken appropriate disciplinary action against the offenders.
Prior legislative history
2012: S.286 - Referred to Education/A.1109 - Referred to Education 2011: S.286 - Defeated in Education/A.1109 - Referred to Education 2009-10: S.3151 - Referred to Education/A.8846 Referred to Education 2007-08: S.4069 - Referred to Education 2007-08: S.4157E - Passed Senate/A.3423E - Reported to Ways & Means
Fiscal implications
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:. The 120th day after becoming law, provided that the Commissioner of Education is authorized to promulgate implementing regulations on or before such a date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.