New Law Good for Our Children

ALBANY, NY (08/16/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) today applauded the signing by Governor Cuomo of legislation that will expand and update the list of crimes for which an individual can be disqualified from driving a yellow school bus.

NYAPT President David Christopher of Shenendehowa Central School District noted that "The legislation the Governor signed today will help us to better ensure the safety of our children. There are some 50,000 school bus drivers in our state and our job is to ensure that each and every one of those individuals meets the highest of standards. This new law has been long in coming and we appreciate the Governor's approval action and the introduction and sponsorship of this legislation by Senator John Bonacic and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow."

NYAPT Executive Director Peter Mannella stated that "NYAPT has advocated for passage of similar legislation for several years without success and it is great for the children of our state that the pieces all finally came together for passage and enactment in 2011."

NYAPT supported the legislation because it had been over 20 years since the law governing the criminal background checks of school bus drivers had been updated and amended. "Since that time dozens of crimes have been established and our society has changed in ways that have fostered new kinds of crimes like those committed over the internet. We need to make sure that the laws ensuring the safety of our children are kept current with these new developments. For that reason, we supported this legislation and are thrilled that it has been signed into law."

NYAPT is a member-based professional association dedicated to school transportation and school bus safety. NYAPT is dedicated to the support, development and representation of the women and men who daily transport over 2.3 million children to and from school. In that capacity, NYAPT often advocates for or comments on legislation that is introduced into the state legislature on topics related to school transportation.

For more information, contact Peter Mannella, Executive Director, at 518-463-4937 or by cell at 518-588-3924, or via email at peter@nyapt.org.