Garden State Times

During a recent Senate Education Committee meeting, Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco presented testimony on Senate Bill 3858. This legislation focuses on the safe transportation of students with disabilities in New Jersey.

Senator Bucco emphasized the importance of this bill, stating, "I am Senator Anthony Bucco, representing the 25th legislative district, and I am a proud sponsor of Senate Bill 3858, which aims to ensure the safe transportation of students with disabilities to and from our schools."

He acknowledged that while many districts already follow best practices for transporting special needs children, improvements are necessary statewide. "Simply put, parents should never have to question whether their child will be safely transported to and from school," he noted.

Though unable to attend in person, Senator Bucco expressed gratitude towards families present at the meeting who shared their experiences. He specifically thanked the Goff’s, Rossi’s, and Williams’ families for their contributions. "Their courage in sharing their personal stories underscores the urgency of this issue," he remarked.

The bill seeks to address safety gaps by establishing a standardized approach across all districts. Senator Bucco stressed that passing this legislation would ensure high safety standards and build trust among parents regarding their children's transportation.

In closing his testimony, Senator Bucco extended thanks to his colleagues who collaborated on this issue—Senator Corrado and Senator Diegnan—and expressed appreciation for the committee's consideration. He reiterated that no parent or child should endure the hardships faced by some families.