A 543 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Requires school bus drivers to submit to biannual testing for drugs and alcohol.

This bill requires all school bus drivers in New Jersey - employed by public school districts, private schools, or parochial schools - to undergo unannounced drug and alcohol testing twice each school year. It mandates testing for alcohol, narcotics, and habit-producing drugs under state law, with results reported to the employer (school board or contractor). Drivers who test positive, refuse testing, or are disqualified by the Commissioner of Education lose immediate eligibility to operate school buses, though they can challenge test results through a formal appeal process. The law applies to all drivers transporting students and requires employers to verify testing compliance annually with county superintendents.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bob Auth
Bob Auth
RRepublican
NJ
39