What's happening
This bill prohibits school bus drivers from using hands-free mobile phones while driving, except in emergencies or when safely parked.
Why it matters
Increases student safety by reducing distractions. By banning even hands-free phone use for school bus drivers while driving, the bill aims to minimize any distractions that could compromise the vigilance needed to safely transport children.
Sets a higher standard for professional drivers. The legislation creates stricter requirements for school bus drivers compared to other drivers, signaling the state’s emphasis on protecting minors and recognizing the unique responsibilities of bus drivers.
Clarifies exceptions for emergencies and parking. The bill still allows school bus drivers to use hands-free devices in genuine emergencies or when the vehicle is fully parked in a lawful location, balancing safety with practical communication needs.
Potentially influences school district policies and training. School districts and bus operators may need to update policies, training programs, and disciplinary procedures to ensure compliance and reinforce the importance of undistracted driving.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban School Bus Phone Use
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Ban Phones for Bus Drivers
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1892
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GALLIVAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to drivers of school buses using hands-free mobile telephones
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 1225-c of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows:
(e) No driver of a school bus as defined in section one hundred forty-two of this chapter shall use a hands-free mobile telephone while operating a school bus except in the case of an emergency pursuant to paragraph (a) of subdivision three of this section or if the school bus is parked, for purposes other than dropping off or picking up students, at the side of, or off, a public highway in a location where such vehicle is not otherwise prohibited from stopping by law, rule, regulation or any lawful order or direction of a police officer.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 1225-c of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 69 of the laws of 2001, is amended to read as follows:
3. Subdivision two of this section shall not apply to (a) the use of a mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company or corps; a fire department, district or company; or a police department, (b) any of the following persons while in the performance of their official duties: a police officer or peace officer; a member of a fire department, district or company; or the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section one hundred one of this chapter, or (c) the use of a hands-free mobile telephone, except in the case of a driver operating a school bus pursuant to paragraph (e) of subdivision two of this section.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01131-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to drivers of school buses using hands-free mobile telephones
Purpose
This legislation will preclude the use of a hands-free mobile telephone device by a school bus driver when such driver is operating a school bus except in the case of an emergency or when the school bus is parked lawfully.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new paragraph (e) of subdivision (2) of section 1225-c of the vehicle and traffic law, to prohibit school bus drivers from speaking on a hands-free mobile telephone except in the cases of emer- gency or being parked lawfully on the side of the road.
Section 2 of the bill amends subdivision (3) section 1225-c, to prohibit school bus drivers from using a hands-free mobile telephone.
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
Justification
Currently, under New York State law, school bus drivers are prohibited from speaking on hand-held mobile telephones while driving. However, the use of hands-free mobile telephone devices is permitted and while the use of such device allows a driver's hands to remain on the wheel, it does not prevent the distraction that mobile telephones cause.
Safety is paramount. It is vital for school bus drivers to be alert and focus their whole attention on the road as well as on the student passengers. Speaking on a hands-free mobile telephone can interfere with concentration, which may affect driving and may have potentially disas- trous results on a school bus if a student on the bus is in need of attention.
Importantly, twenty-one other states including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, California, Minnesota and Connecticut as well as the District of Columbia, have recognized the distraction caused by a school bus driver's use of mobile telephones, including hands-free mobile telephone devices, by banning such use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
It is the job of the school bus driver to transport students safely and to maintain their security, and so the distraction of hands-free mobile telephones should be prohibited.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.8382/A.10642 Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This Act shall take effect in sixty days.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.