HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4404

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

________________________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, August 25, 2025.

The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 564) of Michelle M. DuBois relative to transportation of special needs students, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4404) ought to pass.

For the committee,

KENNETH I. GORDON.

        FILED ON: 8/2/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4404

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

An Act relative to improved special needs transportation and student safety, "John's Law".

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 71B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting after section 8 the following section:

Section 8A. (a) As used in this section, the term “special transportation van” shall mean a van, bus, or other motor vehicle used exclusively or primarily to transport school-age children with disabilities or other persons with disabilities.

(b) School districts shall provide any bus driver, monitor, or qualified attendant responsible for transporting a school-age child with a disability on a special transportation van with a written report pertaining to each school-age child with a disability such bus driver, monitor or qualified attendant is responsible for transporting. The report shall identify any sensory, neurological, emotional, communication, physical, intellectual or health impairment, or a combination thereof, that the district believes may affect the safety of the child during transportation on the special transportation van. The school district shall only provide the written report pursuant to this subsection if provision of such report is required by the student’s individualized education program or the school district has received written consent from a parent or guardian of the student.