H.B. 37 increased the fine to $200 from $100 for failure to stop for a school bus with its stop-arm extended and flashing red lights activated. For a subsequent offense within a five-year period, motorists will receive a suspended license for no less than 180 days and no more than a year.
The School Bus Safety bill also increased the fine for passing a school bus on the right-hand side, where children are loading and unloading, to $400 from the previous fine of $200. Motorists convicted of a second offense within a five-year period will lose their driver’s license for no less than 360 days and no more than two years.
The act took effect on Jan. 1, 2021.