The bill H. 4304 aims to enhance the enforcement of laws regarding the unlawful overtaking and passing of school buses in South Carolina. It introduces a new section, 56-5-2790, which holds vehicle owners or operators jointly liable to the Department of Education for civil penalties associated with violations of Section 56-5-2770. The penalties include a maximum of $100 for the first violation and $250 for subsequent violations within a year, with additional penalties for failure to pay. The bill also mandates that the Department of Motor Vehicles suspend vehicle registrations for owners with outstanding judgments related to passing school buses, as outlined in the amended Section 56-3-1335.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new requirement under Section 59-67-235, which obligates school bus operators to report to the Department of Education within 24 hours if a vehicle fails to stop when the bus's amber signals are activated. This section also requires the retrieval and proper storage of video evidence from the bus for enforcement purposes. Overall, the bill seeks to improve safety around school buses by imposing stricter penalties and ensuring better reporting and enforcement mechanisms.

Statutes affected:
04/03/2025: 56-5-2790, 59-67-235, 56-3-1335
04/30/2025: 56-5-2790, 59-67-235, 56-3-1335
Latest Version: 56-5-2790, 59-67-235, 56-3-1335