New York Senate Passes Bus Legislation Bill

Janet Joyce Tuesday, February 12, 2013

There is no question that sending your child on a school bus for the first time, or even the hundredth time, is a little unsettling. You release control of your child into the hands of someone else and you begin to feel helpless. Most of the time, the school bus drivers are great people and there are no worries. However, in light of recent incidents on Long Island with school buses, the New York State Legislature has taken matter into their hands and have pased new laws concerning who can drive kids to school.

The New York State Senate today passed two bills that would enhance the safety of bus passengers by preventing registered sex offenders from becoming bus drivers and increasing penalties for passing a stopped school bus.

Legislation (S.1519) sponsored by Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R-Syosset) would prohibit a registered sex offender from obtaining or renewing a commercial drivers license to operate a passenger or school bus, providing a greater level of protection to the public from these individuals.

“Registered sex offenders should not be operating any buses, plain and simple. Bus operators come in contact with vulnerable individuals and to allow a registered sex offender a greater ability to have incidents of recidivism makes no sense. This legislation remedies the problem,” said Senator Marcellino.

Another bill (S.1878), sponsored by Senator John Bonacic (R,C,I-Mount Hope), provides for a 60-day suspension of an individual’s drivers license when the holder is convicted two or more times of passing a stopped school bus within a period of 10 years. This legislation would make the penalties for multiple violations of passing a stopped school bus the same as penalties for drivers convicted of speeding in a construction zone two or more times.

These two bills will do a lot to enhance the safety of children while they are riding to and from Long Island schools. They may possible alleviate some of the stress of watching your child go through those double doors and then watch them as the bus drives down the road.

janetj@longislandyellowpages.com

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