Community Corner

Supporting School Bus Safety Measures

Sen. Jack Martins votes for bills to increase school bus safety.

This week I supported measures passed in the New York State Senate that would increase school bus safety by prohibiting registered sex offenders from becoming bus drivers and for increasing penalties for passing a stopped school bus that is picking up or dropping off students.

The legislation (S.1519) prohibits a registered sex offender from obtaining or renewing a commercial drivers license to operate a passenger or school bus, providing a greater level of protection to the public from these individuals.

In addition, another bill (S.1878) provides for a 60-day suspension of an individual's drivers license when the holder is convicted two or more times of passing a stopped school bus within a period of 10 years. This legislation would make the penalties for multiple violations of passing a stopped school bus the same as penalties for drivers convicted of speeding in a construction zone two or more times.

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The safety of children is paramount and we’ve committed to student safety in the New York State Senate. These are further measures of protection. When parents put their children on a school bus, they should be confident that their child is safe.

The bills have been sent to the Assembly.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sen. Jack Martins is the representative of New York's Seventh Senatorial District. He was elected to the State Senate in 2010 as a Republican from Mineola.


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