Signed by Governor Roy Cooper III

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the installation of automated school bus safety cameras and establishes civil penalties for passing a stopped school bus.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the installation and operation of automated school bus safety cameras (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes counties to adopt ordinances imposing civil penalties for passing a stopped school bus when the violation does not result in injury or death and is not criminally prosecuted (Sec. 1).

• Requires recordings capturing violations to be provided to investigating law enforcement agencies for use as evidence in prosecuting such violations (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the civil penalty for passing a stopped school bus is $400 for the 1st offense, $750 for the 2nd offense, and $1,000 for any subsequent offense (Sec. 1).

• Requires the cameras to be identified with conspicuous warning signs on the bus (Sec. 1).

• Requires each county that uses bus safety cameras to maintain records of all violations and provide them upon request to the Child Fatality Task Force and the General Assembly (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text