[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2218 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2218
To require the Secretary of Transportation to conduct research on and
implement certain safety measures and programs to prevent illegal
passing of school buses, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 10, 2019
Mrs. Walorski (for herself and Ms. Brownley of California) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on
Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Transportation to conduct research on and
implement certain safety measures and programs to prevent illegal
passing of school buses, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Stop for School Buses Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF SAFETY PROGRAMS.
(a) Review of Illegal Passing Laws.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(A) prepare a compilation of illegal passing laws
in all States, including levels of enforcement and
penalties and enforcement issues with such laws and the
impact of such laws on illegal passing of school buses
in each State;
(B) review existing State laws that may inhibit
effective school bus loading zone countermeasures,
which may include laws requiring camera visibility of a
driver's face for enforcement action, laws that may
reduce stop arm camera effectiveness, the need for an
officer to witness the event for enforcement, and the
lack of primary enforcement for texting and driving;
(C) evaluate methods used by States to review,
document, and report to law enforcement school bus stop
arm violations; and
(D) following the completion of the compilation,
issue recommendations on best practices on the most-
effective approaches to address illegal passing of
school buses.
(2) Publication.--The compilation and recommendations shall
be made publicly available on the website of the Department.
(b) Public Safety Messaging Campaign.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall create and execute a
public safety messaging campaign including public safety media
messages, posters, digital, and other media messages for
distribution to States, divisions of motor vehicles, schools,
and other public outlets to highlight the importance of the
illegal passing school buses, and should include educating
students and the public on safe loading and unloading of
schools buses.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with public
and private school bus industry representatives and States in
developing the appropriate messages.
(3) Update.--The Secretary shall periodically update the
materials used in the campaign.
(c) Review of Technologies.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall review and evaluate
the effectiveness of various technologies, including cameras,
audible warning systems, enhanced lighting, and other
technological solutions to enhance school bus safety.
(2) Content.--The review--
(A) shall include an evaluation of the costs of new
equipment and the potential impact on overall school
bus ridership;
(B) shall include an evaluation of advanced
technologies surrounding loading zone safety;
(C) shall include an evaluation of school bus
lighting systems, to ensure clear communication to
surrounding drivers on their appropriate action;
(D) may include other technological solutions that
enhance school bus safety; and
(E) may include a pilot program to test the
technologies in school bus service.
(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
manufacturers of school bus vehicles, manufacturers of various
technologies, and school bus industry representatives in
conducting the review.
(4) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of
the review publicly available on the website of the Department.
(d) Review of Driver Education Materials.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(A) review driver education materials across all
States to determine whether and how illegal passing of
school buses is addressed in driver education
materials, manuals, non-CDL testing, and road tests;
and
(B) make recommendations on how States can improve
education about illegal passing of school buses,
particularly with new drivers.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with school
bus industry representatives, States, motor vehicle
administrators, and other appropriate motor vehicle experts in
the preparation of the review.
(3) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of
the review publicly available on the website of the Department.
(e) Review of Other Safety Issues.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall research the
connections between illegal passing of school buses and other
safety issues, including, but not limited to, distracted
driving, morning darkness, illumination and reach of vehicle
headlights, speed limits, and school bus stop locations in
rural areas and create a report containing the findings.
(2) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of
the report publicly available on the website of the Department.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Transportation.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Transportation.
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