NY A08094

School districts wholly within Westchester, Putnam, Nassau, and Suffolk counties must follow collectively bargained agreement terms governing disciplinary actions for bus drivers and driver's assistants before imposing adverse disciplinary action

Districts may bypass union contract procedures only if the superintendent certifies that the driver's conduct constituted "egregious misconduct that created a clear and present danger to the safety and welfare of any child"

When a superintendent makes such certification, an expedited fact-finding process must be completed within five business days of the alleged wrongdoing

Bus drivers or driver's assistants who lose wages during expedited proceedings are entitled to punitive damages if the superintendent's determination is found improper or if they are exonerated

Amends multiple sections of education law (sections 1604, 1709, 2503, and 2554) to apply these requirements across different types of school districts in the specified counties