Amends TCA Title 10; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49 and Title 55, Chapter 8.

Under present law, it is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable only by fine ranging from $250 to $1,000, for a driver to fail to stop when a school bus is loading or unloading children. This bill authorizes the sentence of imprisonment for the misdemeanor, as an alternative to or in addition to the fine.<br /> <br /> This bill authorizes a local education agency (LEA) to install and operate external cameras on the LEA's school buses. The cameras may be used to detect and prosecute persons who fail to stop when a school bus is loading or unloading children. This bill prohibits an LEA from submitting photographs or video recorded by these cameras to law enforcement unless a bus driver reports an observed violation to the LEA. <br /> <br /> This bill limits review of this evidence to footage of the alleged violation occurring at the date and time reported by the bus driver. This bill authorizes only POST-certified or state-commissioned law enforcement officers to review evidence from the cameras and determine if a violation has occurred.<br /> <br /> This bill requires the department of education to pay for 65 percent of the cost of installing the cameras and the LEA must pay the remaining 35 percent. Funds paid to the LEA will be considered to be in addition to BEP funding and will not affect BEP funding.<br /> <br />