Tennessee bill would make failure to stop for school bus a felony, increase fine
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--A proposed Tennessee law would significantly increase the fine for drivers who fail to stop for school buses.
Current law states when a school bus has stopped to pick up or drop off children, driver's must stop before reaching the bus and cannot proceed until the bus halts visual signals and resumes motion.
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Failure to do so is currently punishable by a fine between $250-$1,000 as a Class A misdemeanor.
HB0055 was introduced by Rep. Jason Potts (D-Nashville) on Thursday and it would elevate the crime to a Class E felony. Instead of a maximum fine of $1,000 the proposed law would change the fine to no less than $500 and no more than $3,000.
If passed, the law would take effect July 1, 2019.
