TRENTON, N.J. — A new state law aims to help school bus contractors negotiate with school districts to pay their employees and cover related expenses during school closures spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A3904 allows the use of remote instruction by schools to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement under certain circumstances. Of particular interest to school bus contractors is an amendment to the bill, added by the Senate on April 13. It states that if a health-related school closure takes place for more than three days, school districts and other educational entities must still pay for contracted services it would have received had schools been open.

"An educational services commission, county special services school district, and jointure commission shall continue to make payments of benefits, compensation, and emoluments pursuant  to the terms of a  contract with a  contracted service provider or a shared services agreement in effect on the date of the closure as if the services for such benefits, compensation, and emoluments had been provided, and as if the school facilities had remained open," the amendment to A3904 states.

The law goes into effect immediately.  

Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law last week, according to Ocean City Patch.