Schools could hire providers using small vehicles for certain students

School transportation agencies could hire registered providers for rides to school and related activities. Covered students would include students with disabilities, homeless children, and children in state child-protection custody. Schools must ensure providers can meet each rider's disability education or accommodation plan, if one applies. Families would receive written notice, provider contact details, and a way to report concerns before rides start. Transportation network companies, as defined by another state law, could not take part. This option would begin in the first full school year following enactment.

The Department of Education would maintain a public, searchable list of certified providers. These rules would cover providers seeking school transportation contracts under this option. The department would remove providers whose registrations are suspended or expired and notify schools that contract with them. Registration would take place annually, and routine state reviews would occur every three years.

Drivers would need health checks, background screening, and training, but would not need commercial driver's licenses. Drivers must be at least 21 and have held a valid New Jersey driver's license for at least three years. Drivers would face weekly background checks, annual child-abuse checks, and unannounced alcohol and drug tests.

Providers would need twice-yearly vehicle inspections and at least $1.5 million in vehicle liability insurance per incident. Private or school-owned vehicles must have a manufacturer weight rating of at least 3,000 pounds and an original design seating no more than nine passengers, excluding the driver. Vehicles would need a driver-monitoring camera, live location and speed tracking, and two-way communications. Schools must get written consent from each rider's parent or guardian before activating that equipment. Video and location data would fall outside public-records access rules and be kept for at least 180 days.

Designated school staff could use private or school-owned vehicles for rides to school and related activities. Public school boards, nonpublic school governing bodies, and state agencies could designate qualified staff. The clarification would take effect in the first full school year following enactment.