NJ
New Jersey Senate Bill S2070

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S2070

Introduced
3/3/22  

Caption

Revises mileage limit for mandatory school transportation for students in preschool through grade four.

Impact

This legislative change aims to enhance accessibility to educational institutions for younger children, acknowledging the difficulties that arise when students must travel longer distances to reach their schools. By lowering the transportation threshold, the bill is intended not only to promote school attendance among young students but also to ensure their safety during commutes. The bill also updates the transportation eligibility criteria under the 'Interdistrict Public School Choice Program Act' to align with the new mileage limitations, potentially expanding transportation options for students opting to attend schools outside of their home districts.

Summary

Senate Bill 2070, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, proposes to amend the existing transportation laws regarding public school students, specifically focusing on the transportation requirements for younger students in preschool through grade four. Under current law, a school district is mandated to provide transportation for elementary students who live more than two miles from their school. This bill seeks to revise that requirement, reducing the mileage threshold for preschool through fourth-grade students to one and a half miles. Students in grades five through eight will continue to be provided transportation if they live more than two miles from school, while high school students will remain at the existing two and a half miles.

Contention

While many lawmakers may support the intention behind SB 2070, there could be contention regarding budgetary implications for school districts. Critics might argue that lowering the distance requirement could increase transportation costs significantly, posing a financial burden on local educational budgets. Thus, discussions surrounding the bill may center on how to balance the need for safe and accessible school transportation for younger students with the financial ramifications for school districts and the potential impact on other educational funding allocations. As this bill progresses, stakeholders will likely address these concerns, weighing the educational benefits against the fiscal realities.

Latest S2070 Activity

Companion Bills

NJ A3781

Same As Revises mileage limit for mandatory school transportation for students in preschool through grade four.

Similar Bills

NJ S2609

Revises mileage limit for mandatory school transportation for students in preschool through grade four.

NJ A3781

Revises mileage limit for mandatory school transportation for students in preschool through grade four.

NJ A886

Revises mileage limit for mandatory school transportation for students in preschool through grade four.

NJ A925

Requires school districts to provide transportation to public and nonpublic school pupils living along hazardous routes.

NJ A2534

Requires school districts to provide transportation to public and nonpublic school pupils living along hazardous routes.

IA SF445

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services, making appropriations and reducing appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1135.)

IA HF623

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(Formerly HSB 145.)

IA HSB145

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See HF 623.)