Politics & Government
Legislation Allowing Service Animals on School Buses Gets Final Approval
The bill was approved by a vote of 36-0. The Assembly approved it 73-0 in November. It now heads to the Governor's desk.
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Press release:
A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Gordon and Senator M. Teresa Ruiz that would permit service animals on school buses for students with disabilities was approved Thursday by the full Senate.
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The bill, S-2601, builds on the existing law that allows a student with a disability to have a service animal in school buildings and on school grounds. This bill would permit a student with a disability to bring a service animal on a school bus.
“The use of service animals for students with disabilities is an important component to their everyday lives,” said Senator Gordon, D-Bergen, Passaic. “This bill would allow children easier access to their service companions, facilitating and enhancing their learning experience alongside their peers.”
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“Whether on the bus or in the classroom, these service animals are a fundamental resource for many children with disabilities,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex. “Updating our laws to permit these aids on school buses is crucial to getting students to the building each day safely and ensuring a productive and healthy learning environment.”
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is a trained dog or other animal that assist individuals with physical and mental impairments. This can include visual, hearing, and mobility disabilities as well as mental illnesses such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Several other states including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, and Connecticut have similar laws regarding rights for persons with disabilities to have guide dogs and/or service animals in any mode of transportation and public space including schools, according to the Animal Legal and Historical Center.
The bill was approved by a vote of 36-0. The Assembly approved it 73-0 in November. It now heads to the Governor’s desk.
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