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 requires school bus operators to report any incidents where vehicles fail to stop when the bus's amber signals are activated, as specified in the new Section 59-67-235. This reporting must occur within 24 hours, and operators are responsible for retrieving and storing video evidence from the bus for enforcement purposes. The bill emphasizes the importance of safety around school buses and aims to deter violations through stricter penalties 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