What's happening
This bill requires annual training for school bus drivers and attendants on preventing, detecting, and responding to harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
Why it matters
Expands the scope of school safety. by specifically including bus drivers and attendants—who often are the first and last school staff students see each day—in anti-harassment, bullying, and discrimination training, potentially making school transportation a safer environment.
Targets vulnerable student populations. , such as those with disabilities, by ensuring that attendants who serve students with disabling conditions receive specialized, relevant training in recognizing and addressing harassment and bullying.
Mandates consistency and accountability. through a standardized, annually required training program developed by the Commissioner of Education, aiming to eliminate gaps or inconsistencies that could occur if districts set their own protocols.
Links training to real-world responses. , requiring instruction not only on recognizing but also on appropriately responding to incidents, which could lead to more effective intervention and support for affected students.
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Who cares
School bus drivers
The bill would require training at least annually on discouraging, preventing and detecting harassment, bullying and discrimination, including their effects and appropriate responses.
School bus attendants serving pupils with disabilities
These attendants would also have to receive training at least annually on these issues and how to respond when they encounter them.
State Education Department
The education commissioner would develop a uniform driver training program and issue rules requiring attendant training, with authority to require more frequent training in consultation with the state comprehensive school bus driver safety training council.
Students who ride school buses
The bill would train transportation staff to recognize and respond to harassment, bullying and discrimination affecting students.
Headline styles
Train Bus Staff Against Bullying
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Train Bus Staff Against Bullying
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Patty Ritchie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4088
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 1, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, SANTABARBARA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, COOK, GOTTFRIED, PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring comprehensive training for school bus drivers and school bus attendants in the discouragement, prevention and detection of harassment, bullying and discrimination
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 3650 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. The commissioner shall develop a uniform and comprehensive training program for school bus drivers transporting students to and from school by school bus in the discouragement, prevention, and detection of harassment, bullying and discrimination as defined under article two of this chapter. Such training shall include, but not be limited to, instruction concerning the effects of harassment, bullying and discrimination and the appropriate response when a school bus driver encounters such situation. The training and instruction required by this subdivision may be included with the training and instruction required pursuant to paragraph a of subdivision one and subdivision two of this section and shall be provided at least once per year or more frequently as determined by the commissioner in consultation with the state comprehensive school bus driver safety training council.
§ 2. Section 1229-d of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
(5) The commissioner of education shall promulgate rules and regulations requiring that every school bus attendant serving pupils with a disabling condition receive training and instruction relating to the discouragement, prevention, and detection of harassment, bullying and discrimination as defined under article two of the education law. Such
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04992-01-7
A. 4088 2
training shall include, but not be limited to, instruction concerning the effects of harassment, bullying and discrimination and the appropriate response when a school bus attendant encounters such situation. The training and instruction required by this subdivision may be included with the training and instruction required pursuant to this section and shall be provided at least once per year or more frequently as determined by the commissioner of education, in consultation with the state comprehensive school bus driver safety training council.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.