New Jersey Senate Bill S651

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Establishes pilot program in which certain selected school districts equip school buses with global positioning systems and DOE develops school bus tracking application.

Impact

The pilot program stipulated by S651 is designed to enable a competitive selection process for school districts to participate, ensuring that at least one district from each of the state's northern, central, and southern regions is included. Selected districts must possess their own school bus fleets and will be required to install GPS systems that provide consistent and accurate tracking information. The integration of technology in student transportation is expected to significantly improve communication and safety for students during transit.

Summary

Senate Bill 651 (S651) proposes the establishment of a four-year pilot program overseen by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education. The purpose of this program is to equip selected school districts with global positioning systems (GPS) for their school buses. The legislation mandates that these districts develop a mobile application that allows parents or guardians to track the real-time location and speed of school buses transporting their children. This initiative aims to enhance parental awareness and safety concerning school transportation.

Contention

While the bill has potential benefits in enhancing the safety measures surrounding school transportation, it may also raise concerns regarding privacy and data security. The need for a mobile application to relay GPS data to parents suggests the handling of sensitive information, which may lead to debates about the appropriate safeguards required to protect student data. Additionally, the selection process for participating districts may spark discussions on equity and access among districts with varying levels of resources and technological capabilities.