Parent Advocates for Cameras, GPS Systems on Special-Needs School Buses

CRANFORD, N.J. — A parent here is advocating for legislation that would require all of the state’s special-needs school buses to be equipped with cameras and GPS systems, My9NJ reports.

Jennifer Love told the news source that she has been championing Emma’s Law, named after her 17-year-old daughter who is autistic and nonverbal, after she encountered some challenges in communicating with her school’s new transportation provider. Love told Patch.com that she had contacted the new company and requested to meet Emma’s bus driver and aide before the first day of her bus route. However, when she did meet with the two, Love added that they were unable to provide her with their contact information due to company policy. Instead, she’d have to discuss any concerns about Emma’s route with the bus company’s front office, which doesn't open until after her route is completed, according to the news source.

Love told Patch.com that adding video surveillance cameras and GPS systems on school buses is not an “unreasonable request” and that the systems would allow her “to be able to communicate with the people who are in charge to take care of my nonverbal, special-needs child.”

Emma's Law, which is sponsored by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, is scheduled to be introduced to the legislature on Tuesday, the news source reports.

Additionally, Love has started a Facebook campaign urging Gov. Phil Murphy to sign an executive order for the legislation.