Increases penalties for violation of overtaking and passing a school bus and creates the crime of vehicular homicide in the third degree

BILL NUMBER:S770

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the penal law, in relation to increasing penalties for violation of overtaking and passing a school bus and creating the crime of vehicular homicide in the third degree

Purpose or general idea of bill

To increase various penalties for individuals who pass a stopped school bus.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 increases the minimum punishment for passing a school bus 3 times within 3 years. Specifically the bill raises the maximum fine to $2,000 and the maximum length of imprisonment to one year.

Section 2 allows a judge to revoke an individual's license for a period of up to sixty days when such individual passes a stopped school bus.

Section 3 deems it Vehicular manslaughter in the third degree (E Felony) when an individual passes a stopped school bus and causes the death of a child who is fifteen years of age or less.

Section 4 is the effective date.

Justification

Individuals who pass a stopped school bus pose a serious threat to our school aged children. School buses are equipped with numerous devices making it clear that children are either embarking or disembarking. Increasing certain penalties as it pertains to passing a stopped school bus brings greater attention to the seriousness of these infractions.

Prior legislative history

2010: S.6818 - Died in Codes/A.250 2011: A.250 - Referred to Transportation 2012: S.6937/A.250 - Referred to Transportation 2013: S.374/A.519 - Referred to Transportation

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect November 1 next succeeding date which it shall have become law.