Assembly Bill 561 aims to enhance the enforcement of traffic laws related to failing to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights. The bill allows for the use of photographic or video evidence to support citations for such violations. It modifies existing laws by renumbering and amending sections related to owner liability for these violations, increasing the maximum forfeiture for vehicle owners from $300 to $500, and eliminating specific timeframes for reporting violations and issuing citations. Additionally, it permits school boards to install and monitor photographic or video systems on school buses to capture evidence of violations.

Key changes include the ability for third-party vendors to report violations detected by these systems, and the requirement for citations to be served by first-class mail rather than certified mail. The bill also repeals and recreates a section regarding the issuance of citations, ensuring that traffic officers can issue citations based on the photographic or video evidence provided. Overall, the bill seeks to improve safety around school buses by making it easier to enforce traffic laws and hold vehicle owners accountable for violations.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 346.485(3), 346.485, 346.485(4), 346.49(3), 346.49