NJSA 39:3-85.3
39:3-85.3   Record of stolen motor vehicles, registration plates.

 3. The Superintendent of State Police and the commission having been notified of the theft of a motor vehicle or the loss or theft of registration plates by a chief of police or other peace officer, shall index and file this information in such a manner that a motor vehicle or registration plates can be properly identified.  These records shall be available to all police officers and other interested agencies.  The Superintendent of State Police and the commission shall co-operate with and assist all peace officers and other agencies in tracing or examining any questionable automobiles to determine the ownership thereof.

 L.1938,c.352,s.3; amended 2003, c.13, s.47.
 
NJSA 39:3-85.4
39:3-85.4.  Partial invalidity
    Should any section or provision of this act be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, same shall not affect the validity of the act as a whole or any part thereof other than the portion so held to be invalid.

     L.1938, c. 352, p. 881, s. 4.
NJSA 39:3-85.5
39:3-85.5.   Informed consent agreement; decal 
     The Superintendent of the Division of State Police shall establish a program, as hereinafter provided, to combat the theft of motor vehicles in this State.  Participation in the program shall be voluntary in nature and shall involve the following: 

    a.   The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall, in the presence of the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality, or his designee, sign an informed consent agreement, designed by the superintendent pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of this act, indicating that the motor vehicle registered to him is not normally operated between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. 

    b.   Upon signing the informed consent agreement, the registered owner shall be issued a decal, designed by the superintendent and provided by the local police department and force.  The registered owner shall affix the decal, in a conspicuous place prescribed by the superintendent, to his motor vehicle. 

    L.1990,c.98,s.1. 
 
NJSA 39:3-85.6
39:3-85.6.   Authorization to stop motor vehicle 
     Whenever any law enforcement officer shall see a motor vehicle displaying a decal issued pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of this act being operated upon the public highways of this State between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., the officer is hereby authorized to stop that motor vehicle and to request the driver thereof to produce a valid driver's license, motor vehicle registration card, and insurance identification card. 

    Whenever the operator of a motor vehicle displaying such a decal is unable to produce the documentation set forth in this section, the police officer shall investigate further to determine if the person operating the motor vehicle is the registered owner or has the authorization of the owner to operate the vehicle. 

    L.1990,c.98,s.2. 
 
NJSA 39:3-85.7
39:3-85.7.   Content of informed consent agreement 
     The superintendent shall design the manner and form of the informed consent agreement required under the provisions of section 1 of this act. The chief law enforcement officer of any municipality shall make copies of the document available upon request. 

    L.1990,c.98,s.3.
NJSA 39:3-85.8
39:3-85.8.   Recording of participants in program 
     The superintendent shall provide for the recording of the registered owners of motor vehicles who participate in this program.  The records shall be available to all law enforcement departments, agencies and forces.  The superintendent shall cooperate with and assist all law enforcement officers and other agencies in tracing or examining any questionable motor vehicles in order to determine the ownership thereof. 

    L.1990,c.98,s.4. 
 
NJSA 39:3-85.9
39:3-85.9.   Fees for consent forms and decals 
     The chief law enforcement officer of the municipality may charge a fee for the informed consent forms and the decals provided under this act.  The fee charged shall not exceed the actual costs incurred by the municipality in providing the informed consent forms and decals and in administering the program authorized under this act. 

    L.1990,c.98,s.5. 
 
NJSA 39:3-85.10
39:3-85.10.  Rules, regulations 
     The Superintendent of the Division of State Police shall promulgate pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act. 

    L.1990,c.98,s.6.
NJSA 39:3-86
39:3-86   Penalty when no specific penalty provided.

 1. For a violation of a provision of chapter three of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes for which no specific penalty is provided, the offender shall be liable to a penalty of not less than $25 or more than $500 or imprisonment for a term of not exceeding fifteen days or both.

 L.1941,c.343,s.1; amended 1999, c.28, s.12.
 
NJSA 39:3-87
39:3-87.  Expenditure of receipts, apportionment
    The receipts for licenses covering a 3-year period shall not be expended during any 1 year, but shall be apportioned for the purpose of expenditure upon  an annual basis throughout the entire period so covered.

     L.1955, c. 8, p. 49, s. 13.
 
NJSA 39:3A-1
39:3A-1.  Television set with screen visible to driver of vehicle prohibited
    It shall be unlawful to operate upon any public highway in this State a motor vehicle which is equipped with or in which is located a television set so  placed that the viewing screen thereof is visible to the driver while operating  such vehicle.

     L.1951, c. 134, p. 569, s. 1.
NJSA 39:3A-2
39:3A-2.  Punishment for violations
    A person violating the provisions of this act shall, for each violation, be  subject to a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00), or imprisonment for  a period not exceeding ten days or both.

     L.1951, c. 134, p. 569, s. 2.
 
NJSA 39:3B-1
39:3B-1.  Electric identification and warning lamps
    Every bus when being used to transport children to and from school pursuant  to sections 18:14-8 to 18:14-12, inclusive, of the Revised Statutes shall be  equipped with electric identification and warning lamps which, when such bus  has stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school child, will  exhibit a flashing red light plainly visible at such a distance as will enable  the driver of a vehicle approaching or overtaking the bus to see the red light  in sufficient time to bring the same to a stop within 10 feet of the bus.  Such  lamps shall meet the requirements prescribed by the State Board of Education,  which requirements shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Title  or any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto.

    Nothing contained herein shall be construed to apply to any motorbus when carrying passengers for hire over any street or road and accepting and discharging indiscriminately such persons as may offer themselves for transportation either at the termini or points along the route on which it is being operated.

     L.1965, c. 119, s. 1.
 
NJSA 39:3B-1.1
39:3B-1.1   School buses to be equipped with crossing control arm.

 1. Every school bus as defined under R.S.39:1-1, which was originally designed to carry 10 or more passengers and which is in operation on August 6, 1996, transporting public and nonpublic school pupils and every new or used such school bus purchased on or after that date to transport public and nonpublic school pupils shall be equipped with a crossing control arm at the right front corner of the bus.  In each year subsequent to August 6, 1996, 50 percent of all school bus fleets in operation on that date owned by any agency, a board of education, a nonpublic school or a school bus contractor not already equipped with a crossing control arm shall be so equipped, provided that each vehicle used to transport elementary school students shall be given priority to be equipped with a crossing control arm in the first year following August 6, 1996.  The arm shall open and extend out from the front of the bus at least 5 1/2 feet each time the bus door is opened.

 L.1996,c.96,s.1; amended 1998, c.80, s.1.
NJSA 39:3B-1.2
39:3B-1.2   Reimbursement for retrofitting school buses with crossing control arm.

 2. Each agency, school district and nonpublic school that owns and operates its own school buses and each school bus contractor that operates school buses, as defined in section 1 of P.L.1996, c.96 (C.39:3B-1.1), shall receive reimbursement from the Department of Education in an amount up to, but not to exceed, $300 per bus for retrofitting those school buses in operation on August 6, 1996, and an amount up to, but not to exceed, $200 per bus for buses put into operation after that date for the cost of including the crossing control arm on those buses.  If any agency, school district, nonpublic school or school bus contractor chooses to equip more than 50 percent of its school buses in any one year, it shall receive a maximum reimbursement for 50 percent of its school buses for that year.  Reimbursement for retrofitting more than 50 percent of its school buses will be paid in the subsequent year based on a schedule to be determined by the commissioner, not to exceed two years.

 L.1996,c.96,s.2; amended 1998, c.80, s.2.
 
NJSA 39:3B-1.3
39:3B-1.3   Submission of list of vehicles, application for reimbursement.

 3. No later than 60 days after the effective date of P.L.1998, c.80 (C.39:3B-1.1 et seq.), each agency, board of education, nonpublic school and school bus contractor shall submit to the Commissioner of Education a list of all vehicles, as defined in section 1 of P.L.1996, c.96 (C.39:3B-1.1), that are used to transport students on August 6, 1996, including: the vehicle serial number; the year, make and license plate number as noted on the vehicle registration; and an indication as to whether the vehicle is currently equipped with a crossing control arm.

 The owners of such vehicles may apply for reimbursement through the Department of Education in accordance with section 2 of P.L.1996, c.96 (C.39:3B-1.2) on an application form as the Commissioner of Education shall prescribe.  The application shall be accompanied by a receipt for the purchase of the crossing control arm through an authorized dealer.

 L.1996,c.96,s.3; amended 1998, c.80, s.3.
 
NJSA 39:3B-2
39:3B-2.  Signs or legends displayed on bus
    There shall be displayed on every bus subject to the provisions of section 1  of this act signs or legends which will, insofar as practicable, inform the driver of any vehicle concerning the duty imposed upon him by law with respect to passing such bus, while it is loading or unloading. Such signs or legends shall be in such color, form and design as will meet the requirements prescribed by the State Board of Education, which requirements shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Title or any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto.

     L.1965, c. 119, s. 2.
NJSA 39:3B-3
39:3B-3.  Information on back of certificates of approval
    The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall, at such times as in his discretion he shall determine, cause to be displayed upon the back of each certificate of approval designed for pasting upon the windshield of any motor vehicle, pursuant to chapter 8 of this Title, such information, as he may deem practicable and advisable, concerning the duty imposed by law upon the driver of any vehicle with respect to passing any bus referred to in section 1 of this  act while it is loading or unloading.

     L.1965, c. 119, s. 3.
 
NJSA 39:3B-4
39:3B-4.  Convex mirror or other device for observing road condition in front of bus
    Every bus subject to the provisions of section 1 of this act shall be equipped with a mirror of the convex type, or such other comparable device as the State Board of Education may authorize or prescribe, which is affixed to the bus in such a manner that the seated driver may observe or otherwise ascertain through its use the condition of the road from the front bumper forward to the point where direct observation is possible. Such mirror or other comparable device, and its location on the bus, shall meet the requirements specified by the State Board of Education, which requirements shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Title or any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto.

     L.1965, c. 119, s. 4.
 
NJSA 39:3B-5
39:3B-5.  Rules and regulations
    The State Board of Education is hereby authorized to make rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Title or any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto, concerning the construction, design, equipment, maintenance, operation and inspection of any bus subject to the provisions of section 1 of this act.  Such rules and regulations shall be filed  with the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles and, upon such filing,  shall be enforced by the director in the same manner as all other rules and  regulations made pursuant to this Title.

    Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to limit the existing authority of the State Board of Education to make rules and regulations governing the transportation of school pupils, pursuant to Title 18 of the Revised Statutes.

     L.1965, c. 119, s. 6.
NJSA 39:3B-5.1
39:3B-5.1.  Duration of use of school buses
    School buses, under the jurisdiction of the public schools and manufactured  prior to April 1, 1977, other than those of the transit type whose gross  vehicle weight (G.V.W.) exceeds 25,000 pounds, shall not be used for pupil  transportation purposes beyond the end of the tenth year from the date of  manufacture, as noted on the vehicle registration, or at the end of the school  year in which that date falls, whichever is later. School buses manufactured  on or after April 1, 1977, other than those of the transit type whose gross  vehicle weight (G.V.W.) exceeds 25,000 pounds, shall not be used for pupil  transportation purposes beyond the end of the twelfth year from the date of  manufacture, as noted on the vehicle registration, or at the end of the school  year in which that date falls, whichever is later.

     L.1983, c. 206, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1983.
 
NJSA 39:3B-5.2
39:3B-5.2.  Duration of use of school buses with gross vehicle weight over 25,000 pounds
    School buses of the transit type whose gross vehicle weight (G.V.W.) exceeds  25,000 pounds shall not be used for pupil transportation purposes beyond the  end of the twentieth year from the date of manufacture, as noted on the vehicle  registration, or at the end of the school year in which that date falls,  whichever is later.

     L.1983, c. 206, s. 2, eff. July 1, 1983.
 
NJSA 39:3B-5.3
39:3B-5.3.  Inspection of school buses
    School buses manufactured on or after April 1, 1977, when used beyond the tenth year, other than the transit type whose gross vehicle weight (G.V.W.) exceeds 25,000 pounds, shall have an annual in-depth inspection by the Division  of Motor Vehicles prior to the beginning of the school year.

     L.1983, c. 206, s. 3, eff. July 1, 1983.
NJSA 39:3B-5.4
39:3B-5.4.   Bus safety standards
    A motor vehicle retired from use as a school bus as defined in R.S. 39:1-1 which is used to transport children or senior citizens to entertainment programs, recreational areas, sporting events, or camping activities shall not be used for those purposes unless the motor vehicle has met the safety regulations for school buses dealing with mechanical condition and body integrity adopted in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.) by the Department of Education, with the exception of school bus chrome yellow color and amber and red warning lamp system regulations.  No motor vehicle retired from use as a school bus shall be required to meet the safety regulations for school buses adopted by the Department of Education other than those in effect for the class of vehicle of which the bus was a member on the date upon which the vehicle was last inspected prior to its retirement as a school bus.

   L. 1986, c. 92, s. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1986.
 
NJSA 39:3B-6
39:3B-6.  Violations
    Any person who willfully violates any provision of this act, or any rule or  regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, shall be subject to a fine of not more  than $50.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days, or both.

     L.1965, c. 119, s. 7.
 
NJSA 39:3B-7
39:3B-7.  Repeal
     "An act concerning public school buses, and supplementing chapter 14 of Title 18 of the Revised Statutes,"  approved June 12, 1948 (P.L.1948, c. 133), is hereby repealed.

     L.1965, c. 119, s. 8.
NJSA 39:3B-8
39:3B-8.  Van type II school vehicle
    As used herein  "van type II school vehicle"  is a vehicle transporting pupils, under the jurisdiction of a local board of education, manufactured after April 1, 1977, and having a pupil capacity of not less than 10 nor more than 16.

     L.1980, c. 148, s. 1, eff. Nov. 22, 1980.
 
NJSA 39:3B-9
39:3B-9.  Identification lettering, color and warning lights
    In addition to owner identification, lettering shall be permitted on van type II school vehicles to identify the vehicles as school vehicles and all such vehicles shall be painted school bus yellow and equipped with warning lights.

    With respect to any such vehicle transporting handicapped pupils, the national symbol for the handicapped may also be imprinted on the lower right side of the rear door.

     L.1980, c. 148, s. 2, eff. Nov. 22, 1980.
 
NJSA 39:3B-10
39:3B-10.    School bus seats, seat belts, child restraint systems, regulations 
     1.   In addition to the requirements in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 222 (49 CFR  s.571.222) concerning school bus passenger seating and crash protection, each school bus as defined in R.S.39:1-1 shall be equipped with seats of a minimum seat back height of 28 inches, or 24 inches as measured from the seating reference point, and seat belts of the lap belt type for each seating position on the bus or other child restraint systems that are in conformity with applicable federal standards.  The design and installation of seat belts or other child restraint systems that are in conformity with applicable federal standards shall conform to the regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Law and Public Safety.  The State board shall promulgate regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), for the design and installation of seat belts or other child restraint systems that are in conformity with applicable federal standards. 

    As used in this section, "seating reference point" shall be defined as the term is defined in 49 CFR  s.571.3. 

    L.1992,c.92,s.1.
NJSA 39:3B-11
39:3B-11.    Seat belts, child restraint systems, use required, liability
     2.   Beginning on September 1 of the second year next following the year of enactment of P.L.1992, c.92 (C.39:3B-10 et seq.), each passenger on a school bus which is equipped with seat belts shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt or other child restraint system that is in conformity with applicable federal standards at all times while the bus is in operation. Nothing in this section shall make the owner or operator of a school bus liable for failure to properly adjust and fasten a seat belt or other child restraint system that is in conformity with applicable federal standards for a passenger who sustains injury as a direct result of the passenger's failure to comply with the requirement established by this section. 

    L.1992,c.92,s.2. 
 
NJSA 39:3B-12
39:3B-12.    School bus emergency exits 
     1.   A type I school bus when used to transport children to and from school, or to and from school-related activities, shall be equipped with emergency exits to conform with emergency evacuation standards to be prescribed by rule or regulation of the State Board of Education.  The emergency exits shall at a minimum consist of a rear emergency door and two roof hatches. 

    L.1992,c.93,s.1. 
 
NJSA 39:3B-13
39:3B-13.  Definitions relative to school buses fueled by liquified petroleum gas
 1. As used in this act:

 "Conventional fuel" means gasoline or diesel fuel;

 "Governmental entity" means the State, any agency, authority, or employee thereof, or any political subdivision of the State, including but not limited to any county, municipality, or school district, or any agency, authority, or employee thereof;

 "Liquefied petroleum gas" means LPG, butane, butylene, propane, or propylene, or other related or similar compounds commonly regarded to be liquefied petroleum gases as prescribed by rule or regulation adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.); and

 "School bus" means a school bus as defined pursuant to R.S.39:1-1.

 L.1997,c.367,s.1.
NJSA 39:3B-14
39:3B-14.  Use of liquified petroleum gas
 2.  a.  Liquefied petroleum gas may be used as an alternative fuel for a school bus instead of, in addition to, or in combination with a conventional fuel.

 b. A school bus may be equipped or converted to operate with liquefied petroleum gas as the sole fuel or in addition to or in combination with a conventional fuel.

 L.1997,c.367,s.2.
 
NJSA 39:3B-15
39:3B-15.  Equipping, conversion of school bus for operation using liquified petroleum gas
 3. No school bus may be operated using liquefied petroleum gas as the sole fuel, or in addition to or in combination with a conventional fuel, unless the school bus has been equipped or converted for such use and is operated in accordance with (1) all applicable federal and State laws, rules, regulations, codes, standards, and guidelines pertaining thereto, including but not limited to any such rules, regulations, codes, standards, and guidelines that may be adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and (2) all applicable codes, standards, and guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association for the storage, handling, and use of liquefied petroleum gas.

 L.1997,c.364,s.3.
NJSA 39:3B-16
39:3B-16   Immunity from liability
 4.  a.  In any action brought for any injury or damages caused either directly or indirectly by the use of liquefied petroleum gas as the sole fuel, or in addition to or in combination with a conventional fuel, to operate a school bus, or the equipping or converting of a school bus to operate using liquefied petroleum gas as the sole fuel or in addition to or in combination with a conventional fuel, neither the owner or operator of the school bus nor any governmental entity may be found negligent in connection therewith if the school bus was equipped or converted, and operated, as required by section 3 of this act.

 b. The immunity provided by subsection a. of this section: (1) shall be in addition to any other immunity that may apply under the "New Jersey Tort Claims Act," N.J.S.59:1-1 et seq., or any other law, rule, or regulation; and (2) shall not apply if it is established that the act or omission causing the injury or damages constitutes gross negligence, recklessness, actual fraud, actual malice, willful misconduct, or criminal conduct.

 L.1997,c.367,s.4.
NJSA 39:3B-17
39:3B-17   Rules, regulations
 5. The Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Education, may adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), any rules or regulations necessary to implement this act.

 L.1997,c.367,s.5.
 
NJSA 39:3B-18
39:3B-18   Short title.

 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "School Bus Enhanced Safety Inspection Act."

 L.1999,c.5,s.1.
 
NJSA 39:3B-19
39:3B-19   Findings, declarations relative to school bus safety.

 2. The Legislature finds and declares that school bus safety is of paramount importance to the health and welfare of the school children of this State.  The Legislature further finds that school buses are cited for safety violations during scheduled and random inspections at an unacceptably high level and that recent random school bus inspections conducted by the Division of State Police and the Division of Motor Vehicles found a high percentage of school buses operating with significant violations that warranted the removal of these vehicles from service.

 The Legislature concurs with the findings of the Governor's School Bus Safety Task Force that it is appropriate and necessary to revise the existing system of in-lane inspections to a system of in-terminal inspections conducted by motor vehicle inspectors at the facility of the school bus operator.  Such a system would provide insight into the carrier's overall operation and commitment to maintenance; allow interaction with the carrier's mechanics and operational personnel to facilitate the immediate repair of vehicles; provide a mechanism for the audit of a carrier's maintenance records, including daily defect slips, vehicle history records, and driver history and credential records; and, insure the timely inspection of all school buses.

 L.1999,c.5,s.2.