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O’Malley plan improving school bus safety shuttles out of committee
RELEASE|December 4, 2019

The House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee this week unanimously approved state Rep. Jack O’Malley’s bipartisan plan improving school bus safety in Michigan.

O’Malley’s plan, the lead measure of a 5-bill package, defines who is and isn’t allowed on a school bus and installs stiffer penalties for those who board buses without permission.

 “This is about doing more to keep our kids safe,” said O’Malley, of Lake Ann. “Over the years, we’ve heard devastating stories across many Michigan communities involving students boarding and exiting the bus to and from school. As parents, elected officials, law enforcement, school faculty and a state, it is crucial we take the necessary steps to improve school bus safety for our children.”

People who enter a school bus without permission could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable up to 93 days in prison or a fine of up to $100. Similarly, a felon entering with intent to do bodily harm could face imprisonment for up to a year and a fine of up to $500 under O’Malley’s measure.

The other bills in the bipartisan package:

  • Designate “entering a school bus with intent to bodily harm” as a felony punishable by up to one year in prison.
  • Require a sticker to be affixed to the side of a bus that reads “Unauthorized persons attempting to board or boarding this school bus are subject to arrest and prosecution.” The sticker has to be affixed on the left side of the service door between the bottom of the window and black rail.
  • Make failing to stop for a school bus a civil infraction consisting of a fine between $100 and $500 and up to 100 hours of community service and allow buses to be equipped with a stop-arm camera system to film evidence of said infraction.
  • Specify what can be recorded by a stop-arm camera.

House Bills 5038-5042 now move to the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration.

Michigan House Republicans
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