Section 48:4-2.26 - Prohibiting certain individuals from use of autobus servicesa. An autobus company may, at its discretion, prohibit from using transportation services provided or operated by the autobus company any person who assaults an operator of an autobus or the operator's supervisor while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the person's duties or because of the status as an operator of an autobus or as the operator's supervisor, for a term to be determined by the owner or operator of the autobus not to exceed one calendar year, unless the person used a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault in which case the person may be prohibited from accessing transportation services for life, provided that the person has the right to appeal any determination made pursuant to this subsection in a manner and process established by the autobus company.b. An autobus company shall equip each autobus with a working radio or other communication system that allows the operator of the autobus to alert the autobus company or appropriate law enforcement agencies when the operator is in distress.c. An autobus company shall designate a chief security officer or other manager to serve as the primary contact with the chief of police in any town served by the autobus company and with New Jersey Transit police. The designated primary contact shall provide 24-hour contact information to each police department in jurisdictions served by the autobus company.d. An autobus company shall identify a program or programs to assist and support operators of autobuses that have been a victim of assault and shall annually provide contact and other information about such program to all bus operators employed by the autobus company.e. An autobus company shall periodically provide or engage a qualified professional to provide training to autobus operators which shall include training in techniques to de-escalate situations to avoid violence.f. As used in this section, "autobus company" means an entity that operates an autobus providing transportation services to members of the public.Added by L. 2021, c. 352,s. 5, eff. 7/1/2022.