Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2298

Caption

Relating to school safety measures, including the authority of a school district to implement a school bus monitoring system that records images of vehicles that pass a stopped school bus; authorizing a civil penalty; imposing a surcharge.

Impact

The bill establishes a competitive grant program aimed at assisting school districts with funding to implement various school safety measures. These funds can be utilized to install and maintain the bus monitoring systems, which are expected to improve overall student safety near school zones. The proposed financial structure includes collecting surcharges from issued penalties, directing a portion to the Texas Education Agency for further safety initiatives, indicating a reinforcement of state-supported safety funding.

Summary

SB2298 introduces a comprehensive approach to enhancing school safety by allowing school districts in Texas to implement school bus monitoring systems. These systems are designed to take photographic images of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses, aiming to protect students during loading and unloading times. The bill specifies that school districts can enforce civil penalties against vehicle owners based solely on photographic evidence collected by these monitoring systems, thereby promoting adherence to traffic laws surrounding school buses.

Contention

As with many pieces of legislation, there are potential points of contention surrounding the implementation of the bus monitoring systems. Concerns may arise regarding the civil penalties that could be perceived as exceeding local autonomy by allowing administrative actions based on automated systems. School districts may also face pushback about the surveillance aspects of monitoring student safety, leading to discussions about privacy rights versus public safety. Such debates could shape the landscape of educational safety policies moving forward.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB648

Relating to the enforcement of the prohibition on passing a school bus using images from a school bus monitoring system.

TX SB355

Relating to authorizing the Texas School Safety Center to conduct random safety and security audits of public schools; authorizing a civil penalty.

TX HB4979

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to certain student records and conduct.

TX SB11

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to the health and safety of public school students and active shooter training for certain peace officers.

TX HB3

Relating to measures for ensuring public school safety, including the development and implementation of purchases relating to and funding for public school safety and security requirements and the provision of safety-related resources.

TX HB2

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including the establishment of a school safety grant program and a school safety plan implementation grant program, and the allocation of certain constitutional transfers of money to the state school safety fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HB4789

Relating to the use of school buses and electricity by public schools.

TX SB1942

Relating to the use of school buses and electricity by public schools.

TX HB2009

Relating to measures for school safety in public schools.

TX SB2

Relating to a local optional teacher designation system implemented by a school district, a security officer employed by a school district, the basic allotment and guaranteed yield under the public school finance system, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program; making an appropriation.

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