Bill > H4304

This bill creates a comprehensive system for penalizing drivers who illegally pass school buses when their amber warning lights are activated. The legislation establishes that vehicle owners or operators can be held financially liable for violations, with escalating penalties for repeated offenses. For a first violation within a year, the owner could be fined up to $100, with subsequent violations carrying fines up to $250. If the owner fails to pay the initial penalty, they may face an additional civil penalty of up to $500. The Department of Education will send escalating notices (First, Second, and Third Failure to Pay) to the vehicle owner, with each notice providing increasingly serious consequences. If the case goes to court and the owner is found liable, they may face additional fines, court costs, and potential suspension of vehicle registration. The bill also requires school bus operators to report any instances of vehicles not stopping when their amber signals are on, and mandates that video evidence from bus-mounted cameras can be used as prima facie evidence of the violation. Importantly, the bill provides some defenses for vehicle owners, such as if the vehicle was reported stolen or leased to another party at the time of the violation. The goal of this legislation is to improve school bus safety by creating a strong deterrent against drivers illegally passing stopped school buses.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4304&session=126&summary=B