A 348 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to drivers of school buses using hands-free mobile telephones

This bill prohibits school bus drivers from using hands-free mobile telephones while operating a bus carrying students. It directly affects school bus drivers during student transport, with exceptions for emergencies (like contacting emergency services) or when the bus is parked safely off the road. The law allows use of exempt devices like two-way radios for school district communication, as designated by education officials. It does not ban all phone use but specifically targets hands-free devices during active student transport.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026
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What changed between versions

A348 A348A · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill amends New York's vehicle and traffic law regarding hands-free mobile phone use by school bus drivers. The main change adds an exemption for drivers using devices designated for communication with dispatch or school districts, such as two-way radios, and authorizes officials to update this list as new technologies emerge. The effective date was also extended from 60 days to 120 days after passage.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly exempts school bus drivers from the hands-free mobile phone restriction when using devices for official communication with dispatch or school districts, and adds flexibility for future technology updates.
ELIGIBILITY

Added exemption for school bus drivers using devices designated for communication with dispatch or school districts, such as two-way radios.

REQUIREMENT

Authorized the Commissioner of Education and Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to reevaluate exempted devices as new technologies emerge.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from 60 days to 120 days after the bill becomes law.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
lower
Oct 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 348A
lower
Oct 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO TRANSPORTATION
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors