The School Bus Safety Act aims to improve school bus safety in Ohio by establishing August as "School Bus Safety Awareness Month" and creating a School Bus Safety Fund. This fund will be financed through appropriations from the General Assembly and criminal fines related to school bus safety violations. The Director of Education and Workforce will manage the fund, providing grants to school districts for safety enhancements such as external cameras, crossing arms, and lane departure warning systems. The bill also mandates that deputy registrars and driver examination locations display graphics instructing drivers to stop for school buses, reinforcing the importance of safety.

In addition to these provisions, the bill introduces new penalties for passing a stopped school bus, categorizing it as an unclassified misdemeanor with fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 based on prior violations. It establishes a fine of $50 for first-time offenders who complete a safety course and requires individuals cited for violations to appear in court. The legislation also modifies the classification of license suspensions for repeat offenders and outlines the responsibilities of law enforcement in investigating violations using school bus camera evidence. Furthermore, it allocates $25 million annually to the School Bus Safety Fund to support educational initiatives and grant programs, ultimately aiming to enhance enforcement and accountability regarding school bus safety in Ohio.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4503.03, 4510.036, 4511.75, 4511.751, 4511.76