What's happening
This bill requires annual comprehensive training for school bus drivers and attendants on preventing and addressing harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
Why it matters
Expands the Role of Bus Staff in Student Safety. By mandating comprehensive training, the bill recognizes that bus drivers and attendants are often the first adults to witness or intervene in incidents of harassment, bullying, or discrimination, making them key figures in early identification and prevention.
Focuses on Vulnerable Students. The bill specifically requires that attendants serving students with disabilities receive targeted training, acknowledging that these students may be at higher risk for mistreatment and need additional protections.
Creates Consistency and Accountability. By directing the education commissioner to develop a uniform training program and review its frequency, the bill aims to ensure all school districts meet the same standards, potentially reducing disparities in student experiences across the state.
Addresses Both Prevention and Response. The training is not just about identification but also about teaching appropriate responses, equipping bus staff with practical tools to intervene effectively, de-escalate situations, and support affected students.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Train Bus Staff on Bullying
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1564
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, SANTABARBARA, RAGA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK -- 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.
LBD04275-01-5
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.