BILL NUMBER: S5172

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in
relation to requiring a school bus attendant on all school buses

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To ensure that school children are safely escorted on and off of their
school buses by an adult school bus attendant. Such attendants will
accompany these students on and off of the school bus to ensure that
students are visible as they cross the road, are a safe distance from
the bus or any other motor vehicles, and make it safely out of the road.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This legislation will require a school bus driver assistant to be on all
school buses operating in New York State, while transporting students in
grades K-6, in order to ensure that school children safely reach their
destination. As the bus comes to the stop the school bus driver assist-
ant will exit the bus with the child or children and help them safely
              

cross the street. Such assistant will then re-board the bus and follow
the same routine at each stop along the route.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
the greatest risk for children who ride a school bus to and from school
is when they approach the bus and when they exit the bus.  The NHTSA
also notes that while every state in America has a law making it illegal
to pass a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and
stop-arm extended to load or unload students, many motorists simply
choose to ignore the law.

It is estimated that in New York State, 50,000 motor vehicles illegally
pass school buses every day. While education and enforcements efforts
can help curb these behaviors, this staggering figure clearly under-
scores the need for additional actions to ensure that our school chil-
dren make it to school and back home safely.

Recently, a more disturbing trend has emerged whereby motorists have
been passing stopped buses on the shoulder of the road - where children
enter and exit the bus.

This legislation will help prevent further injuries and fatalities from
occurring by ensuring that a responsible adult is helping these students
on an off the bus and is looking out for dangerous drivers who choose to
disregard the law by passing a stopped school bus.

School bus attendants will also be able to ensure the safety of all
students who ride the bus by monitoring students and making sure they
are behaving and abiding by the rules.

Having an attendant on board every school bus that is transporting chil-
dren will ensure the safety and well-being our children.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2020