This bill directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to study the benefits of requiring school buses to be equipped with stop-arm safety cameras. The two agencies must publish the study findings and recommendations on a public website within 1 year of enactment. The recommendations must cover best practices for data management and privacy safeguards, how camera data can be shared with law enforcement for fair adjudication of alleged traffic violations, and fee and revenue sharing structures to help make programs financially self-sustaining while advancing student safety.
The bill also requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program within 18 months to increase the use of stop-arm safety camera technology on school buses. Eligible recipients are State educational agencies. Grants may be used to purchase school buses already equipped with stop-arm cameras, to equip existing school buses with that technology, and to install, maintain, and repair the camera systems. The Secretary must notify State educational agencies before accepting applications. The bill refers to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for the definition of State educational agency.
If enacted, federal agencies will study stop-arm camera use and publish guidance on privacy, data sharing, and funding approaches. State educational agencies could apply for federal grants to buy buses with stop-arm cameras or to add and maintain that technology on current buses. The bill does not itself require cameras on every bus; it requires a study and a grant program to increase use.
No publicly available information on total funding levels, cost estimates, or specific appropriation amounts. The bill says grant funds may be used to purchase, equip, install, maintain, and repair stop-arm camera technology but does not set dollar amounts.
No publicly available information in the bill text about supporters' statements or arguments.
No publicly available information in the bill text about opponents' statements or arguments.