Bill > HB1708

This bill makes several important changes to Pennsylvania's vehicle laws regarding school buses and school vehicles, focusing on safety and traffic regulations. The legislation updates provisions related to stopping for school buses and school vehicles, expanding the definition of school vehicles and adding new requirements for drivers. Specifically, the bill mandates that drivers activate hazard warning lights at specific distances before stopping (100 feet at speeds of 35 mph or less, and 300 feet at higher speeds), and prohibits passing a school vehicle while it is stopped to pick up or discharge children or while its four-way flashers are activated. The bill also modifies penalties for violations, maintaining a $250 fine and $35 surcharge for infractions related to school bus safety. Additionally, the legislation updates various sections of the vehicle code to include "school vehicle" alongside "school bus" in multiple references, ensuring consistent treatment of different types of vehicles used to transport school children. These changes aim to enhance student safety during transportation by creating more explicit and comprehensive rules for drivers interacting with school vehicles on roadways. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1708