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OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1390
AN ACT CONCERNING LIVE DIGITAL VIDEO SCHOOL BUS
VIOLATION DETECTION MONITORING SYSTEMS.
SUMMARY
PA 24-107 allowed municipalities to adopt ordinances authorizing
the use of a video monitoring system and $250 fines to enforce the law
that generally prohibits drivers from passing a school bus with its red
signal lights flashing (the “stop arm law”). In doing so, the act replaced
a current statutory authorization for municipalities and school boards
to use a similar monitoring system to enforce this law. This bill extends
by two years the end (sunset) dates for municipalities and school boards
to use a monitoring system under the current statutory authorization.
Under the bill, municipalities and boards generally have up to two
more years to stop using these systems under the current authorization
(generally by July 1, 2028). Under current law, they generally must stop
doing so by July 1, 2026. Similarly, for municipalities or boards that are
not operating a system under the current authorization, the bill allows
them to begin doing so before July 1, 2026. Under current law, this
authorization ended two years earlier.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
NEW USERS OF LIVE MONITORING SYSTEMS UNDER CURRENT
STATUTORY AUTHOR IZATION
Under the bill, municipalities and boards of education that are not
operating a live monitoring system under the current authorization
before July 1, 2026, are prohibited from (1) starting operation of one on
or after that date, or (2) entering into an agreement with a private vendor
for installing, operating, and maintaining such a system on or after that
date. Under current law, they are prohibited from doing so as of July 1,
2024. (So in effect, the bill restarts this authorization until the new sunset 2025SB-01390-R000433-BA.DOCX
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date.)
SUNSET FOR EXISTING MUNICIPAL USERS AND VENDORS
The bill generally requires municipalities, boards of education, and
private vendors operating live monitoring systems under the current
authorization on July 1, 2026, to stop by July 1, 2028 (each date is two
years later than what is in current law).
However, vendors may continue to operate their systems (under
agreement with a municipality) on or after July 1, 2028, if (1) their
operation agreements were entered into before July 1, 2026; (2) no
agreement renewal or extension option is exercised on or after July 1,
2026, that would extend their operation on or after July 1, 2028; and (3)
their operation stops once the agreement ends. Each of these dates is two
years later than what is in current law.
BACKGROUND
Stop Arm Law
Connecticut’s stop arm law generally requires drivers to (1) stop their
vehicles at least 10 feet from the front or rear of a school bus that is
displaying its flashing red signal lights and (2) remain there until the
bus no longer displays the lights. Any person who violates this law faces
(1) a $450 fine for the first offense or (2) a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to 30
days in prison, or both for a subsequent offense (CGS § 14-279).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 29 Nay 0 (03/18/2025)