NY A09650

Amends Education Law Section 305 to require school districts in cities with at least one million inhabitants to include provisions in school bus transportation contracts for retention or preference in hiring of school bus workers.

Mandates preservation of wages, health, welfare, retirement benefits, and seniority for school bus workers hired under retention or preference provisions.

Defines "school bus worker" as operators, mechanics, dispatchers, or attendants employed as of June 30, 2023 or thereafter by contractors or subcontractors who were furloughed or became unemployed due to contract loss or service reduction.

Applies to all school bus transportation contracts for kindergarten through grade twelve, regardless of whether awarded through competitive bidding or request for proposals.

Updates gender-specific pronouns in existing law to use neutral language ("such commissioner's" instead of "his").