Senate passes bill to protect school children at bus stops

ALBANY – The State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator John Bonacic (R, Mount Hope) that would increase penalties for passing a stopped school bus.
Current law provides that a driver convicted two or more times of speeding in a construction zone be subject to a 60 day suspension of his or her license, but passing a stopped school bus two or more times does not carry the same penalty.
This legislation would remedy that inconsistency, said Bonacic.
“There is no doubt that passing a stopped school bus possesses as much, if not more, risk to life and limb as speeding in a construction zone,” the senator said. “This legislation would help ensure that those individuals who decide to intentionally drive past a stopped school bus will be held properly accountable for their actions.”
The bill was presented to the Assembly on Thursday, May 28.