Bill > H2976

This bill authorizes cities and towns to install and operate digital video systems on school buses to detect and enforce violations by drivers who fail to stop for a school bus when required, a measure intended to enhance the safety of children boarding and disembarking. These systems, referred to as "school bus violation detection monitoring systems," will capture images and videos of vehicles violating the law, including clear shots of license plates, along with the date, time, and location of the offense. A trained observer must review the evidence and sign an affidavit confirming the violation before a citation is issued. The bill specifies that penalties for these violations will not be considered criminal convictions or moving violations for insurance purposes, though they will be noted on the driver's record, and fines collected will go to the city or town where the offense occurred. It also outlines procedures for issuing citations, contesting violations, and handling appeals, including options for review by mail, and mandates that warning signs be posted on buses equipped with these systems. Importantly, the compensation for vendors providing these systems cannot be based on the revenue generated from violations, but rather on the value of the equipment and services provided.