Bill > HB7

This bill aims to strengthen penalties for drivers who cause injury or death to a child while the child is boarding or exiting a school bus. Specifically, the bill modifies two existing sections of Mississippi law. First, it updates Section 63-3-615 to clarify that drivers must not only stop for a school bus with flashing red lights but also must not deviate from the roadway. Second, and more significantly, the bill amends Section 97-3-7 to increase the minimum imprisonment for aggravated assault when a driver causes injury to a child near a school bus. The penalty is changed from a maximum of one year to a minimum of five years in county jail or state corrections, with a maximum of twenty years. This new provision is officially named the "Amiya Braxton Amendment," likely in memory of a specific child who was injured in such an incident. The bill is designed to create stronger legal consequences for drivers who do not exercise proper caution around school buses and to protect children during the vulnerable moments of boarding or exiting a school bus. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving time for law enforcement, courts, and the public to prepare for the new, stricter regulations.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0007.xml