NJ S894

School buses transporting students with special needs must be equipped with interior video cameras for monitoring student safety, GPS systems providing real-time location and speed data, and two-way communication equipment such as cellular phones

Video footage and GPS data collected from these systems are exempt from public records laws and will not be considered government records

School bus drivers must still comply with existing laws prohibiting cell phone use while operating a school bus

The State Board of Education, working with the Motor Vehicle Commission, will establish rules for equipment installation, use, and data/footage retention requirements including minimum and maximum retention periods

The bill takes effect six months after enactment and was inspired by "Emma," a non-verbal special needs student whose bus driver became lost for several hours, causing her significant trauma