Private, charter school buses can install violation cameras under new Florida bill
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – New Florida legislation aims to enhance private and charter school bus safety by increasing opportunities to issue citations and violations.
Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville, introduced the House companion bill to Sen. Danny Burgess’, R-Zephyrhills, SB 994.
The bills authorize private and charter school buses to install infraction detection systems that would catch violators who ignore stopped buses that are clearly displaying a stop sign in order to allow children to cross the street.
Buses with a detection system would need to be clearly marked with signage on the back in order to alert potential violators, according to the bill.
Additionally, the bill would give school safety officers who complete certain training requirements the ability to become traffic infraction enforcement officers with the authority to issue citations to violators who openly ignored student safety requirements.
Similar legislation was signed into law after the 2023 Legislative Session in order to improve student safety on public school buses and in public school zones.
The bill, HB 657, passed nearly unanimously in both chambers with six Republican holdouts in the House and three in the Senate.
