Texas House Bill HB4628

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to school bus safety, including the authority of a school district to implement a monitoring system that captures images of vehicles passing illegally; creating an offense and providing for the imposition of civil and criminal penalties.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4628 will modify state laws pertinent to traffic regulations, especially those related to school bus operations and the legal repercussions for violations. By empowering school districts to utilize monitoring systems, the bill is expected to lead to increased enforcement of school bus safety rules. It also stipulates how evidence from the monitoring systems can be used in legal proceedings, potentially leading to a higher rate of accountability for drivers who disregard traffic laws surrounding school buses.

Summary

House Bill 4628 focuses on enhancing school bus safety by allowing school districts to implement monitoring systems capable of capturing images of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses. The bill formally establishes an offense for failing to stop for a school bus and creates a framework for the imposition of civil and criminal penalties on violators. This initiative aims to protect the safety of children while boarding and disembarking from school buses, thereby addressing growing concerns around student safety.

Contention

While proponents of the bill highlight its potential to significantly reduce traffic violations and protect school children, there may be opposition concerning privacy and the implications of increased surveillance. Critics might argue that the imposition of civil penalties and the operations of monitoring systems could lead to disputes over privacy rights and due process, especially around the question of how images are used and stored. Additionally, the bill sets certain procedural guidelines for appealing penalties, which could be seen as cumbersome or could generate pushback from those adversely affected by the penalties.