What's happening
This bill requires drivers convicted of a second or subsequent offense for passing a stopped school bus to attend a driver education course if recommended by the court.
Why it matters
Targets repeat offenders. By focusing on those convicted of passing a stopped school bus multiple times, the bill aims to address persistent risky behavior rather than first-time mistakes, emphasizing the seriousness of repeated violations.
Adds an educational component to penalties. Mandating a driver education course (when recommended by the court) shifts some focus from purely punitive measures (fines or jail time) to corrective action, which could improve driver awareness and safety in the long term.
Gives courts discretionary power. The requirement for a driver education course is subject to the court’s recommendation, allowing judges to consider individual circumstances and tailor consequences, potentially leading to more effective rehabilitation.
Seeks to enhance child safety. By increasing consequences for those who repeatedly endanger children boarding or leaving school buses, the bill may deter dangerous driving near school buses and reduce risks to student pedestrians.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Driver Ed for Bus Violators
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1393
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, BUTTENSCHON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to modifying the penalties associated with passing a stopped school bus to include a mandatory driver education course
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision (c) of section 1174 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 433 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read as follows:
(c) Every person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) of this section shall: for a first conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than four hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or by both such fine and imprisonment; for a conviction of a second violation, both of which were committed within a period of three years, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment; upon a conviction of a third or subsequent violation, all of which were committed within a period of three years, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment. Every person convicted of a second violation or subsequent violation thereafter shall be required to attend a driver education course, if recommended by the court.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03835-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.