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A 130NEW JERSEYSession 222State BillSigned into law
Enacted

New Jersey establishes Special Education Transportation Task Force to study student transit safety

Original title: Establishes Special Education Transportation Task Force.

Last action · January 13, 2026: Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.301.Sponsors: Al Barlas and 4 others

Companion · S 1180same policy, Senate version
Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

The New Jersey Legislature establishes an 18-member Special Education Transportation Task Force to study and recommend best practices for transporting special education students, including handling medical and behavioral emergencies on school buses. The task force must organize within 90 days of enactment, issue a report to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of organizing, and expire upon issuing that report.

Why it matters

Creates a temporary advisory body comprising state officials and public appointees to examine transportation safety, equipment access, parent communication, and staff training for students receiving special education services, backed by administrative support from the Department of Education.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Special education students

Students receiving special education services are the subjects of the task force's study regarding transportation safety, equipment access, and emergency response.

Directly affected

School bus staff and school staff

Staff may be subject to new policies and training recommendations developed by the task force regarding medical and behavioral emergencies.

Directly affected

Department of Education

The department is required to provide administrative assistants, professional staff, and logistical support to the task force.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who serves on the Special Education Transportation Task Force?
The 18-member task force includes the Commissioner of Education, the Director of the Office of Special Education, the Special Education Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families, and 14 public members appointed by the Governor representing educators, specialists, bus aides, and parents.
What is the primary duty of the task force?
Its duty is to study and make recommendations on best practices for transporting students receiving special education, including policies and training to prevent, identify, and respond to medical and behavioral emergencies on school buses.
When must the task force report its findings?
The task force must issue a report of its recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 12 months after it organizes.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

2 actions
  1. Jan 13, 2026HouseEnrolled
    Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.301.
  2. Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Al BarlasAssemblyRepublicanPrimary sponsor
DePhillips, Christopher P.Primary sponsorNo profile match
Sterley StanleyAssemblyDemocraticPrimary sponsor
Azzariti Jr., John V., M.D.CosponsorNo profile match
Gerry ScharfenbergerAssemblyRepublicanCosponsor

Connected Entities

New Jersey School Boards Association, New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, Office of Special Education and 4 more
OrganizationNew Jersey School Boards Association“Organization represented among public members appointed by the Governor.”Map →
OrganizationNew Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association“Organization represented among public members appointed by the Governor.”Map →
OrganizationOffice of Special Education“Director serves as a member of the task force.”Map →
OrganizationNew Jersey Association of School Administrators“Organization represented among public members appointed by the Governor.”Map →
OrganizationSPAN Parent Advocacy Network“Organization represented among public members appointed by the Governor.”Map →
OrganizationSpecial Education Transportation Task Force“Newly established task force created to study special education student transpor”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Education“State agency directed to provide administrative and professional staff support t”Map →

Sources

Open source document

njleg.state.nj.us

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance45
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy5
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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