1. The Commissioner of Education shall develop a training program for school bus drivers and school bus aides on proper procedures for interacting with students with special needs. The training program shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

a. appropriate behavior management;

b. effective communication;

c. use and operation of adaptive equipment; and

d. understanding behaviors that may be related to specific disabilities.

The commissioner shall make the training program available to boards of education and school bus contractors providing pupil transportation services under contract with boards of education no later than one year following the effective date of this act.

L.2015, c.123, s.1.