Provides for the viewing of photo or video footage captured by a camera installed inside a school bus, by a parent or guardian of a pupil, when such parent, guardian or pupil reports any incident of physical harm, harassment, intimidation or bullying occurring against the pupil while such pupil travelled on such school bus.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3131
SPONSOR: Simpson TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing for the
viewing of footage captured by an interior school bus camera in certain
circumstances
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill will provide parents and guardians with a reasonable path
towards accessing available video & photographic documentation that
pertains to any incident occurring on a school bus that results in the
potential impairment of their child's well-being.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
School boards throughout New York State will establish policies to allow
for viewing of photo or video footage captured by camera installed
inside a school bus, by a parent or guardian of a pupil when an instance
of physical harm, harassment, intimidation, or bullying has occurred.
JUSTIFICATION:
The safety and well-being of our children is among the first and fore-
most responsibilities our school districts are tasked with. Fulfilling
this duty in the most literal sense often begins and ends with a child's
experience on the bus ride to and from school.Student safety best prac-
tices first begins with creating an environment that is conducive to
establishing routinely positive and constructive experiences. The second
is in the remedy through which incidents of undesirable experiences are
resolved. Video monitoring systems help provide a record of overall
rider behaviors and provide vital context when investigating inappropri-
ate behaviors. Ensuring availability of this record in the fullest
extent not just for school administration but parents as well, is essen-
tial in providing the necessary tools to resolve individual cases as
well as potential problems that require long term fundamental issues as
well.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: A8366 Referred to Education/S8858 Referred to Education
2023-24: A3169 Referred to Education/S2044 Referred to Education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take place immediately.
