More Students Could Have School IDs After Gov. Signs Legislation

PARAMUS, NJ — More students could get school-issued identification cards after a new law gives districts the right to have them after Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation into law Wednesday.

The legislation gives districts the option of requiring students to carry school-issued identification cards with them on school-sponsored trips.

The legislation was part of a package addressing school bus safety concerns and strengthening protections for New Jersey students on school buses.

Peter Caminiti Jr., a Paramus student who was involved in a fatal school bus crash last May, and his father, told the Paramus Board of Education after the crash about the need for kids to have identification on them in case of emergencies.

"Kids need identification on them," Caminiti Jr. said. "That was a massive issue during triage, identifying who the children were. As a parent, just hearing that your kid was in an accident and not knowing where he was, it's debilitating." (See related: Seat Belts Didn't Fit Correctly Before Bus Crash: Student)

The new law requires school officials to keep lists of students who are on school buses going to field trips, athletic events, or any school-sponsored activities.

"Student safety is our top priority. This is the next step in ensuring proper school bus protocols are in place to protect students," said Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, a Democrat representing the 38th Legislative District, where Paramus is located. "Parents, students and teachers should feel confident in the safety of our school buses whether as a way to get to school or for a school trip."

The bill goes into effect July 2. It was part of a package that included legislation requiring three-point lap belt on school buses, school bus operations in New Jersey to comply with certain federal regulations, 24-hour notification that a school bus driver's license is suspended or revoked, and for school bus drivers to submit a medical certificate to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to prove continuing physical fitness and to submit to medical examination that includes certain screenings. (See related: Murphy Signs School Bus Seat Belt Legislation Into Law)

The bills were prompted by two school bus crashes last year, including one where a Paramus teacher and student were killed on a field trip after a dump truck crashed into their bus on Interstate 80 in May. (See related: Teacher, Student Confirmed Dead In Paramus Field Trip Bus Crash)

The bus driver in the Paramus school bus, Hudy Muldrow, 77, of Jersey City was charged with two counts of death by auto, commonly referred to as vehicular manslaughter, following the crash that killed 10-year-old Miranda Vargas and teacher Jennifer Williamson Kennedy. (See related: Paramus Community Mourns Dedicated Teacher Killed In Crash)

The other crash occurred in June near Cherry Hill, where a school bus with children on board overturned on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com