New York Assembly Bill A03131

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Provides for the viewing of photo or video footage captured by a camera installed inside a school bus, by a parent or guardian of a pupil, when such parent, guardian or pupil reports any incident of physical harm, harassment, intimidation or bullying occurring against the pupil while such pupil travelled on such school bus.

Summary

A03131 would require every board of education or board of trustees to adopt a policy allowing a parent or guardian to view photo or video footage from an interior school bus camera when a pupil reports an incident of physical harm, harassment, intimidation, or bullying that occurred while riding the bus to or from school or school-sponsored activities. The bill applies only to footage captured inside school buses and is limited to situations involving a reported incident affecting the student. The viewing of the footage would have to occur under the supervision of the director of schools, a school principal, or another school official. The bill also directs school policies to comply with state regulations and federal privacy laws, and allows districts to set a process or timeframe for requesting access. The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Impact

The bill would amend the Education Law by adding a new section 3639, creating a statewide requirement that school districts and boards of trustees establish procedures for parent or guardian access to interior school bus camera footage in specified circumstances. It would affect school districts, school officials, parents and guardians, and students who ride school buses, while also implicating existing privacy and student-records rules under state and federal law.

Sentiment

The bill’s framing suggests a protective, student-safety-oriented purpose focused on transparency and accountability in response to alleged bus incidents. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the measure appears designed to appeal to concerns about bullying and student safety while balancing privacy restrictions.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are privacy and access limits versus parental oversight. Supporters are likely to emphasize the need for parents to verify and respond to incidents of bullying, harassment, intimidation, or physical harm on school buses. Opponents or cautious stakeholders may focus on federal privacy compliance, the handling of footage involving other students, and the administrative burden of creating access procedures and supervising viewings. The requirement that access occur only under school supervision and subject to privacy laws appears intended to address those concerns.