Kentucky House Bill HB461

Kentucky 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/22/24
• Report Pass: 2/27/24
• Engrossed: 3/12/24
• Refer: 3/12/24

Caption

AN ACT relating to school bus safety.

Impact

The implementation of HB 461 will alter existing traffic laws relating to school bus safety within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Specifically, it sets forth new provisions regarding the penalties for vehicles that do not stop for school buses displaying stop signs and activation lights. The bill establishes a structured civil penalty system, with escalating fines for repeat offenses, thereby aiming to hold drivers more accountable for their actions around school buses.

Summary

House Bill 461, titled 'AN ACT relating to school bus safety,' introduces measures aimed at enhancing the protection of children during school bus operations. The bill allows school districts to install and maintain camera monitoring systems on school buses to automate the enforcement of stop arm violations. This is intended to create a safer environment for children while boarding or alighting from school buses by discouraging drivers from illegally passing buses that have their stop arms extended.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 461 appears to be generally supportive among legislators concerned about motorist behavior regarding school bus safety. Proponents argue that the use of technology, such as camera systems, can improve compliance with existing laws and significantly enhance child safety. However, there may be concerns about privacy regarding the capture and handling of recorded images, as well as how the penalties could financially impact vehicle owners, especially in the event of erroneous citations.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, some points of contention may arise regarding the enforcement mechanisms and the reliance on automated systems to issue fines. Critics could argue about potential inaccuracies in the captured footage or the fairness of imposing civil penalties without a traditional judicial process. Additionally, discussions about whether the revenue from these fines will be effectively utilized for public safety initiatives might be a topic of debate within the legislature.