To amend sections 4503.10, 4503.102, 4503.12, 4511.75, 4511.751, and 4511.76; to amend, for the purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses, section 4511.751 (4511.752); and to enact new section 4511.751 and sections 5.501, 3327.18, 3327.19, 4511.753, 4511.754, 4511.755, 4511.756, and 4511.757 of the Revised Code to authorize a civil penalty system related to drivers who illegally pass a school bus but cannot be identified, to designate the month of August as "School Bus Safety Awareness Month," and to designate this act as the School Bus Safety Act.
SB62, the School Bus Safety Act, would create a new civil enforcement system for school bus passing violations when the driver cannot be identified. If a school bus is equipped with a school bus violation detection monitoring system and recorded images show a vehicle illegally passing while the bus is stopped with warning signals activated, law enforcement could issue a $300 civil notice of violation to the registered owner of the vehicle. The bill sets out procedures for notice, affidavits to shift liability to a designated driver or to show the vehicle or plates were stolen, court review, and collection of penalties. It also preserves criminal enforcement when the driver can be identified and prohibits both criminal and civil penalties for the same incident.
The bill also creates the school bus safety fund and a grant program administered by the Department of Education and Workforce to help school districts and other eligible school entities purchase and install school bus safety features. Eligible uses include external cameras, crossing arms, lane departure warning systems, electronic stability control, stop arms, collision avoidance systems, LED lighting, reflective markings, occupant restraints, and other approved technologies. Civil penalty revenue would be split between the school bus safety fund and the school entity operating the bus, with the latter required to use the money for school bus safety technology and related enforcement costs. In addition, the bill designates August as School Bus Safety Awareness Month and names the act the School Bus Safety Act.
SB62 would amend several sections of the Revised Code governing school bus stopping requirements, school bus equipment, motor vehicle registration, and registration renewal. It would add new statutory procedures allowing courts and law enforcement to pursue civil liability based on camera evidence, and it would authorize the registrar to withhold vehicle registration or transfer processing if a court notifies the registrar that a civil penalty remains unpaid. The bill also requires the registrar to include school bus stopping and penalty information with license plates and renewal notices, and it expands school bus equipment rules to expressly cover cameras and monitoring systems.
The general sentiment reflected by the bill text is strongly supportive of school bus safety and deterrence of illegal passing, with the legislation framed as a public-awareness and enforcement measure rather than a broad traffic penalty expansion. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented debate or formal vote history in the available materials. The bill’s structure suggests an emphasis on protecting children and other passengers while using technology and civil penalties to address cases where the offending driver cannot otherwise be identified.
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the use of automated camera enforcement, the imposition of liability on registered owners rather than only identified drivers, and the linkage between unpaid civil penalties and motor vehicle registration actions. Another possible issue is the distribution of penalty revenue to both a state school bus safety fund and the school entity operating the bus, which may raise questions about incentives, privacy, due process, and the cost of installing and maintaining monitoring systems. The bill attempts to address some of those concerns by providing affidavit-based defenses, court hearings, and limits on when civil notices may be issued.
SB62 would add a new civil penalty framework to Ohio law for school bus passing violations captured by school bus cameras when the driver cannot be identified, while also amending existing school bus safety and motor vehicle registration statutes. It would create the school bus safety fund, authorize grants for safety equipment on school buses, require new notice and enforcement procedures, and allow registration consequences for unpaid civil penalties. The bill would also expand school bus equipment and operational rules to expressly include camera-based monitoring systems and related safety technology.
The bill is presented in a strongly pro-safety posture, with its stated purpose focused on protecting children and increasing awareness of school bus stopping laws. In the materials provided, there are no committee transcripts or votes showing opposition or support from legislators, so the available record does not show a documented partisan or procedural split. Based on the text alone, the bill appears designed to attract support by pairing enforcement with grants for safety improvements and public education.
Likely points of contention include whether it is appropriate to hold the registered owner liable when the driver cannot be identified, whether camera-based enforcement around school buses raises privacy or due process concerns, and whether tying unpaid civil penalties to registration denial is too coercive. Another possible concern is the administrative burden on school districts, law enforcement, and courts in implementing the monitoring system, reviewing images, and processing affidavits and hearings. Supporters would likely emphasize deterrence, child safety, and funding for bus safety upgrades, while critics may focus on fairness, costs, and enforcement mechanics.