HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3751        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michelle M. DuBois

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

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

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3751        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 472 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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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) Any bus driver, monitor, or qualified attendant responsible for transporting a school-age child with a disability on a special transportation van shall be trained and certified in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(c) 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.