The bill amends existing laws regarding school bus safety by mandating that every school bus placed in service, including those used for transporting special education students, must be equipped with a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system. This system is required to operate and monitor violations related to school buses.

Additionally, the bill requires that every school bus placed in service be equipped with a retractable stop sign mounted outside the bus, which must be visible from a distance of not less than 100 feet. The method of installation for the retractable stop sign must be approved and certified by the division of motor vehicles, and this system is to be inspected during regularly scheduled inspections.

The bill outlines specific procedures for bus drivers regarding the operation of the stop sign when picking up or disembarking students. The bus must remain stopped with the stop sign visible until all students are seated, and the driver must ensure that all approaching traffic has stopped before allowing students to disembark. After students have disembarked, the driver must allow ample time for them to clear the bus area before closing the doors and announcing through a public address system that the bus will proceed.

The provisions of this act shall apply to all school buses, including those used exclusively for the transportation of students receiving special education. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
6318: 31-51-2