Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4940

Introduced
7/30/24  
Engrossed
7/30/24  

Caption

Concerning the safety of school children embarking and disembarking school buses

Impact

If enacted, H4940 will facilitate the introduction of automated traffic enforcement systems specifically for school buses, representing a significant change in how traffic laws are enforced concerning school bus violations. This change may lead to a reduction in the number of motor vehicle violations related to school bus stop signs, which will ideally contribute to a safer environment for children during their commute to and from school. Additionally, it will generate a consistent approach across municipalities regarding how violations are monitored and penalized, aligning local laws with state legislation and enhancing communication with law enforcement.

Summary

House Bill 4940 aims to enhance the safety of school children when embarking and disembarking from school buses by allowing cities and towns to install and operate school bus violation detection monitoring systems. These systems will monitor and detect motor vehicle operators who fail to stop for a school bus displaying its stop sign. The bill emphasizes student safety, marking it as urgent legislation that requires immediate action for public safety. It establishes a framework for municipalities that choose to adopt these systems and details the responsibilities and agreements between local school districts and vendors that supply the technology.

Contention

One potential area of contention surrounding H4940 is the privacy and civil rights implications of using automated violation detection systems. Critics may argue that the deployment of such systems could lead to an increase in surveillance and a potential overreach of governmental powers. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding the accuracy and fairness of automated systems, including how data is managed, who has access to recorded footage, and the potential for misuse of footage collected. There may also be debates on the financial arrangement between municipalities and vendors—whether it is ethical for vendors to receive any revenue from the systems based on the fines collected from violations.

Companion Bills

MA H3306

Similar To Concerning the safety of school children embarking and disembarking school buses

MA H4450

Replaces Concerning the safety of school children embarking and disembarking school buses

Previously Filed As

MA H3492

To establish the Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem

MA S2335

To establish the Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem

MA S1138

To improve the administration of justice in probate and family court

MA S1816

Relative to the Massachusetts estate tax

MA H3367

Naming “The Bill Russell and Bob Cousy Highway”

MA H2050

Relative to acceptance of the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act

MA H1491

To improve the administration of justice in probate and family court

MA H3529

To amend the general officer designation in the state staff of the militia

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.