Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. recently announced that Governor George E. Pataki has signed legislation into law creating criminal penalties for boarding a school bus by individuals not authorized by the school district or the assigned bus driver.

"Parents should not have to worry that someone can board a school bus and be a potential danger to children," said Fuschillo, who is a member of the Senate Education and Transportation Committees. "This new law offers further protection to the children, driver and other authorized personnel on school buses."

According to Fuschillo, an unauthorized person on a school bus is considered any person not having any relationship or other legitimate reason involving a child on the bus unless there is written permission from a proper authority. A person who boards the school bus without permission may face up to 15 days in jail.

"About 2.2 million children ride buses to and from school each and every day in New York State," Fuschillo said. "Everything must be done to ensure their safety."