MERRICK, N.Y. — Two mothers want an exemption in state school bus service eligibility rules that would guarantee bus transportation for students whose parents have serious health issues and cannot drive them, ABC 7 reports.
Tara Notrica, who has a disorder that can cause her to go into anaphylactic shock at any time, has helped to introduce a bill that guarantees bus transportation, no matter the distance within the district, for kids whose parents cannot drive them due to chronic illness, according to the news source. Notrica’s children were not eligible under state law for bus service because they lived half a mile away from their school. However, due to her health condition, she said she did not feel safe driving them, and spent a lot of money on private transportation.
Amy Mogel, a mother who suffers from a neurological disorder, first introduced the bill many years ago, but it was vetoed by Gov. David Paterson and then again by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2012, according to the news source. Mogel said that she also struggled to get her children to school, and is hopeful the bill will pass this legislative session, which ends next week, ABC 7 reports.
The sponsor of the bill in the Senate told the news source he's "very confident" it will pass by the end of the session.
To read the full story, go here.
2 mothers call for change in New York school bus service rule
The women helped introduce bills that guarantee bus transportation, no matter the distance within the district, for kids whose parents cannot drive them due to chronic illness.
More Safety

Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
Read More →
NTSB Calls for Alcohol Impairment Systems, Seat Belts After W.V. Crash Investigation
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck
A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Driver Shortages, EV Debates & Safety Upgrades
From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
Read More →

