Stop for School Buses Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.1994 | Sponsor: Rep. Walorski, Jackie (R-IN)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Stop for School Buses Act of 2021
This bill addresses safety measures and programs to prevent the illegal passing of school buses.
Specifically, the Department of Transportation must

To require the Secretary of Transportation to review laws relating to 
 the illegal passing of schoolbuses, execute a public safety messaging 
   campaign related to illegal passing of schoolbuses, 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 2021''.

SEC. 2. ILLEGAL PASSING OF SCHOOLBUSES.

    (a) Review of Illegal Passing Laws.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation 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 schoolbuses 
                in each State;
                    (B) review existing State laws that may inhibit 
                effective schoolbus 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 schoolbus 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 
                schoolbuses.
            (2) Publication.--The compilation and recommendations 
        prepared under paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available 
        on the website of the Department of Transportation.
    (b) Public Safety Messaging Campaign.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
        which the Secretary makes the compilation and recommendations 
        under subsection (a)(2) publicly available, the Secretary shall 
        create and execute a public safety messaging campaign for 
        distribution to States, divisions of motor vehicles, schools, 
        and other public outlets to highlight the dangers of the 
        illegal passing of schoolbuses, and should include educating 
        students and the public on safe loading and unloading of 
        schoolbuses.
            (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with public 
        and private schoolbus industry representatives and States in 
        developing the campaign materials.
            (3) Update.--The Secretary shall periodically update such 
        materials.
    (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 to enhance schoolbus 
        safety, including cameras, audible warning systems, enhanced 
        lighting, and other technological solutions.
            (2) Content.--The review under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) shall include an evaluation of the costs of new 
                equipment and the potential impact on overall schoolbus 
                ridership;
                    (B) shall include an evaluation of advanced 
                technologies surrounding loading zone safety;
                    (C) shall include an evaluation of motion-activated 
                detection systems that are capable of--
                            (i) detecting pedestrians, bicyclists, and 
                        other road users located near the exterior of 
                        the schoolbus; and
                            (ii) alerting the operator of the schoolbus 
                        of the road users described in clause (i);
                    (D) shall include an evaluation of schoolbus 
                lighting systems, to ensure clear communication to 
                surrounding drivers on their appropriate action; and
                    (E) may include other technological solutions that 
                enhance schoolbus safety.
            (3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with 
        manufacturers of schoolbus vehicles, manufacturers of various 
        technologies, and school bus industry representatives in 
        conducting the review under paragraph (1).
            (4) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of 
        the review under paragraph (1) 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 
                schoolbuses is addressed in driver education materials, 
                manuals, non-commercial driver's license testing, and 
                road tests; and
                    (B) make recommendations on how States can improve 
                education about illegal passing of schoolbuses, 
                particularly with new drivers.
            (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with 
        schoolbus industry representatives, States, motor vehicle 
        administrators, and other appropriate motor vehicle experts in 
        the preparation of the review under paragraph (1).
            (3) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the findings of 
        the review under paragraph (1) 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--
                    (A) research the connections between illegal 
                passing of schoolbuses and other safety issues, 
                including distracted driving, morning darkness, poor 
                visibility, illumination and reach of vehicle 
                headlights, speed limits, and schoolbus stop locations 
                in rural areas; and
                    (B) create a report containing the findings.
            (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall make the report 
        created under paragraph (1)(B) publicly available on the 
        website of the Department.
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