Stop for School Buses Act of 2021
This bill addresses safety measures and programs to prevent the illegal passing of school buses.
Specifically, the Department of Transportation must
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1994 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1994
To require the Secretary of Transportation to review laws relating to
the illegal passing of schoolbuses, execute a public safety messaging
campaign related to illegal passing of schoolbuses, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 17, 2021
Mrs. Walorski (for herself, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Baird, Mr. Cleaver, Mr.
Cohen, Mr. Delgado, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Long, Mr. Katko, Mr. Kind, Mr.
Neguse, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and Mr. Sires) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and
Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Transportation to review laws relating to
the illegal passing of schoolbuses, execute a public safety messaging
campaign related to illegal passing of schoolbuses, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Stop for School Buses Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. ILLEGAL PASSING OF SCHOOLBUSES.
(a) Review of Illegal Passing Laws.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall--
(A) prepare a compilation of illegal passing laws
in all States, including levels of enforcement and
penalties and enforcement issues with such laws and the
impact of such laws on illegal passing of schoolbuses
in each State;
(B) review existing State laws that may inhibit
effective schoolbus loading zone countermeasures, which
may include laws requiring camera visibility of a
driver's face for enforcement action, laws that may
reduce stop-arm camera effectiveness, the need for an
officer to witness the event for enforcement, and the
lack of primary enforcement for texting and driving;
(C) evaluate methods used by States to review,
document, and report to law enforcement schoolbus stop-
arm violations; and
(D) following the completion of the compilation,
issue recommendations on best practices on the most
effective approaches to address illegal passing of
schoolbuses.
(2) Publication.--The compilation and recommendations
prepared under paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available
on the website of the Department of Transportation.
(b) Public Safety Messaging Campaign.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the Secretary makes the compilation and recommendations
under subsection (a)(2) publicly available, the Secretary shall
create and execute a public safety messaging campaign for
distribution to States, divisions of motor vehicles, schools,
and other public outlets to highlight the dangers of the
illegal passing of schoolbuses, and should include educating
students and the public on safe loading and unloading of
schoolbuses.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with public
and private schoolbus industry representatives and States in
developing the campaign materials.
(3) Update.--The Secretary shall periodically update such
materials.
(c) Review of Technologies.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and evaluate
the effectiveness of various technologies to enhance schoolbus
safety, including cameras, audible warning systems, enhanced
lighting, and other technological solutions.
(2) Content.--The review under paragraph (1)--
(A) shall include an evaluation of the costs of new
equipment and the potential impact on overall schoolbus
ridership;
(B) shall include an evaluation of advanced
technologies surrounding loading zone safety;
(C) shall include an evaluation of motion-activated
detection systems that are capable of--
(i) detecting pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other road users located near the exterior of
the schoolbus; and
(ii) alerting the operator of the schoolbus
of the road users described in clause (i);
(D) shall include an evaluation of schoolbus
lighting systems, to ensure clear communication to
surrounding drivers on their appropriate action; and
(E) may include other technological solutions that
enhance schoolbus safety.
(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
manufacturers of schoolbus vehicles, manufacturers of various
technologies, and school bus industry representatives in
conducting the review under paragraph (1).
(4) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of
the review under paragraph (1) publicly available on the
website of the Department.
(d) Review of Driver Education Materials.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(A) review driver education materials across all
States to determine whether and how illegal passing of
schoolbuses is addressed in driver education materials,
manuals, non-commercial driver's license testing, and
road tests; and
(B) make recommendations on how States can improve
education about illegal passing of schoolbuses,
particularly with new drivers.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
schoolbus industry representatives, States, motor vehicle
administrators, and other appropriate motor vehicle experts in
the preparation of the review under paragraph (1).
(3) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of
the review under paragraph (1) publicly available on the
website of the Department.
(e) Review of Other Safety Issues.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(A) research the connections between illegal
passing of schoolbuses and other safety issues,
including distracted driving, morning darkness, poor
visibility, illumination and reach of vehicle
headlights, speed limits, and schoolbus stop locations
in rural areas; and
(B) create a report containing the findings.
(2) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the report
created under paragraph (1)(B) publicly available on the
website of the Department.
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Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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