N.Y. Education Law § 3635-c: Standing passengers prohibited

§ 3635-c. Standing passengers prohibited. Standing passengers shall

not be carried on school buses owned by or contracted to a school

district while such vehicles are employed exclusively for the

transportation of pupils under the age of twenty-one and teachers and

other persons acting in a supervisory capacity to or from school or

school activities, except as provided in subdivision one or two of this

section:

1. Standing passengers may be permitted on such a school bus provided

that the number of standing passengers does not exceed the limit

established in the following schedule for the applicable time period:

Period: Not more than:

Through June 30, 2001 20% of approved seating capacity

Between July 1, 2001 and 15% of approved seating capacity

June 30, 2002

Between July 1, 2002 and 10% of approved seating capacity

June 30, 2003

Between July 1, 2003 and 5% of approved seating capacity

June 30, 2004

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the

contrary, standing passengers may be permitted without limitation as to

number during the first ten days of session in each school year, and in

circumstances where a breakdown, accident, or other unforeseen

occurrence necessitates the transportation of standing passengers.

3. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to restrict

the power of a city with a population of one million or more to adopt

and enforce local laws that comply with at least the minimum applicable

standards set forth in this section.