Bill > S2088

This bill allows cities and towns to install and operate live digital video systems on school buses to catch drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus, a violation of existing law (Section 14 of Chapter 90). These systems, called "school bus violation detection monitoring systems," use cameras and sensors to record vehicles that fail to stop when a school bus's stop arm is extended, a sign indicating children are boarding or disembarking. The recorded evidence, including license plates, date, time, and location, is reviewed by law enforcement who then issue citations, similar to how traffic tickets are handled. The bill clarifies that these violations are not criminal offenses or moving violations that affect insurance rates, though they will be noted on the owner's driving record. It also outlines procedures for issuing citations, paying fines, requesting hearings, and appealing decisions, and specifies how collected fines will be used to cover the costs of these systems, with provisions to prevent vendors from being paid based on the number of tickets issued. The bill also mandates that warning signs be posted on buses equipped with these systems and that data collected by the systems be destroyed within a specified timeframe unless part of a legal proceeding.