Senate Passes Bonacic Sponsored Legislation

Legislation aims to disqualify certain persons from acting as school bus monitors and drivers

The New York State Senate today, passed legislation, sponsored by Senator John Bonacic, (S.6157A), which would prohibit certain individuals from acting as school bus monitors and drivers.

The bill increases the period of time that an individual convicted of Leandra’s Law; aggravated DWI with a passenger under 16 years of age; is disqualified from being a school bus driver to five years from the date of the individual’s conviction.

“In an effort to better protect our school children, my colleagues and I have introduced a variety of legislation addressing school bus personnel,” said Senator Bonacic. “Under current law, a person convicted of Leandra’s law, could conceivably drive a school bus six months after that conviction; which is completely inappropriate. An individual who is irresponsible enough to drive while intoxicated, let alone with a child in the car, is not an ideal candidate to drive or supervise children on a school bus. Again, government has a moral obligation to provide laws to keep each and every child safe.” 

After passage in the Senate, the bill goes to the Assembly for approval.

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