What's happening
This bill raises the fines for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing.
Why it matters
Increases the financial consequences for drivers who endanger children. By raising the fines for illegally passing a stopped school bus, the bill aims to deter dangerous driving behavior and make drivers think twice before violating this safety law.
Escalates penalties for repeat offenders. The amendments establish significantly higher fines for second and third offenses within a three-year period, recognizing that repeat violations pose an even greater risk to student safety.
Signals a stronger public commitment to school bus safety. The stiffer penalties reflect growing concern about the frequency and severity of incidents where drivers ignore school bus stop signals, potentially reducing accidents and injuries involving children.
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Who cares
Parents and Students
Increased penalties for passing a stopped school bus aim to improve student safety during boarding and disembarking, directly impacting families and children who rely on school transportation.
School Bus Drivers and School Districts
These stakeholders are concerned with protecting students and reducing dangerous driving behaviors around school buses; stricter penalties could help reinforce the seriousness of bus stop safety.
Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Advocates
Police officers and safety organizations are interested in tools that deter risky driving and reduce accidents and injuries related to illegal passing of school buses.
Drivers and Vehicle Owners
Anyone who drives in New York will be affected by the higher fines and potential jail time, making them more cautious and aware of school bus-related traffic laws.
Headline styles
Increase School Bus Fines
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Raise School Bus Passing Fines
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Erik Dilan
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10694
IN SENATE
September 11, 2026
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to increasing the penalties for passing a school bus with its red lights illuminated indicating that it is picking up or discharging students
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] three hundred fifty dollars nor more than [four] five 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] five hundred dollars nor more than [seven hundred fifty] eight hundred 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] eight hundred 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.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07458-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to increasing the penalties for passing a school bus with its red lights illuminated indicating that it is picking up or discharging students
Purpose
Increases the penalties for passing a school bus with its red lights illuminated indicating that it is picking up or discharging students.
Summary of provisions
This legislation would amend subdivision (c) of section 1174 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by increasing the fine amounts associated with passing a stopped school bus with its red lights illuminated.
Justification
Overtaking a school bus exacts a heightened and unconscionable threat to the lives of millions of New York children who ride the bus each day. New York State needs to set a precedent of zero tolerance for such law breakers and ensure that our children's safety is put at the forefront of our state's agenda. Overtaking a school bus place many vulnerable lives at risk, and those who break this law should be stopped and punished in way that reflects the severity of the crime.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.