New Drug Testing Law For CNY Bus Drivers

On August 24, 2018, Governor Cuomo signed two bills making it safer for our children on CNY school buses with mandatory drug and alcohol testing of bus drivers.

All school bus drivers, including those who drive smaller buses and are exempted under federal law, are now required to be in the sample pool for random tests and undergo pre-employment drug testing.

S.2587E and companion bill A.208E, sponsored by Sen. Carl Marcellino and Assembly Member Donna Lupardo, states the requirement of pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing of bus drivers; The passed bills also states:

No person shall consume a drug, controlled substance or an intoxicating liquor, regardless of its alcoholic content, or be under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug, within eight hours before going on duty or operating, or having physical control of a bus.

School bus drivers will not be permitted to assume duty or operate a school bus within eight hours of consuming alcohol, an increase from six hours.

Peter Mannella, executive director for NYAPT, says “We should not have to explain to the parents and the public why a bus driver had been given the keys to drive a school bus in a compromised condition,” he added. “That should never happen. We applaud Senator Carl Marcellino and Assembly Member Donna Lupardo for their introduction and advancement of this important legislation...”