Ohio House of Representatives Pass House Bill 3

State Representative Bernie Willis (R-Springfield) is pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 3 – the "School Bus Safety Act," which establishes new measures to enhance school bus safety, increase penalties for violations, provide grant funding for schools to apply for equipment specific to their school’s needs, and educate the public about school bus-related laws.

“We have now taken the first step toward better safety for our children on their everyday commutes to and from school,” said Rep. Willis, who is joint sponsor of the bill. “I look forward to presenting this bill in the Senate for their consideration also!  It is critical that we help our school districts move forward with safety enhancements on their buses and create a safer environment around those buses with stiffer penalties for those who pass them illegally.”

The School Bus Safety Act makes the following changes:

• Increases penalties for illegally passing stopped school buses
• Authorizes installation of school bus cameras for the sole purpose of recording violations of illegally passing stopped school buses. 
• Develops a School Bus Safety Fund & Grant Program for schools to apply and improve safety features on school buses
• Creates public education initiatives on school bus safety
• Designates August as “School Bus Safety Month” 

House Bill 3 works to strengthen enforcement against school bus safety violations, promote safer transportation options, and educate drivers about their legal obligations, aiming to reduce accidents and improve safety for students.

House Bill 3 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.