N.Y. legislators pass special-needs training bill

ALBANY, N.Y. — The state Legislature passed a bill that calls for enhanced special-needs training for school bus drivers and attendants.

If signed by the governor, “P.J.’s Law” would require staff on special-needs buses to complete a one-hour refresher class on children with disabilities at least once a year.

The instructional materials will be prepared by the New York State Commission on Quality Care and Advocacy for Persons With Disabilities in consultation with the state Education Department.

The legislation was named after P.J. Rossi, an autistic and mute boy who was allegedly abused by a bus driver and attendant in 2005. P.J.’s parents had placed a tape recorder in the boy’s backpack to document the suspected verbal and emotional mistreatment.