§ 1229-b. Operation of school, camp and charter omnibuses with
passengers standing prohibited. 1. When the number of passengers is
greater than the number of seats available, it shall be unlawful to
operate a camp or charter omnibus upon the public highways for a
distance of ten miles or more with any passenger standing.

2. It shall be unlawful to operate upon the public highways a school
bus owned by or contracted to a school district with any passenger
standing whenever it is employed exclusively for the transportation of
students under the age of twenty-one and teachers or other persons
acting in a supervisory capacity to or from school or school activities,
except as provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this subdivision:

(a) Standing passengers may be permitted on such a school bus,
provided that the number of standing passengers on a school bus shall
not exceed the limit established in the following schedule for the
applicable time period:

Period: Not more than:
Through June 30, 2001 20% of approved seating capacity
Between July 1, 2001 and 15% of approved seating capacity
June 30, 2002
Between July 1, 2002 and 10% of approved seating capacity
June 30, 2003
Between July 1, 2003 and 5% of approved seating capacity
June 30, 2004

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the
contrary, standing passengers may be permitted without limitation as to
number during the first ten days of session in each school year, and in
circumstances where a breakdown, accident, or other unforeseen
occurrence necessitates the transportation of standing passengers.

(c) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to restrict
the power of a city with a population of one million or more to adopt
and enforce local laws that comply with at least the minimum applicable
standards set forth in this section.