2026 -- S 2392

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LC004470

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

ENFORCEMENT

     Introduced By: Senators Britto, DiMario, DiPalma, Gu, McKenney, Gallo, Tikoian,
Ciccone, Zurier, and LaMountain

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-51-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-51 entitled "School Bus

Safety Enforcement" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-51-2. Live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring systems.

     (a) All school departments of this state are hereby authorized to install and operate:

     (1) live Live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring systems. Such systems

shall, at a minimum, be systems which monitor and detect school bus traffic violations. For

purposes of this chapter a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system means

a system with one or more camera sensors and computers which produce live digital and recorded

video of motor vehicles being operated in violation of school bus traffic laws in violation of § 31-

20-12. All systems installed for use under this chapter shall, at a minimum, produce a live visual

image viewable remotely, a recorded image of the license plate, and be able to record the time,

date, and location of the vehicle, and a signed affidavit by a person who witnessed the violation via

live video.

     (2) The GPS (global positioning system) data regarding the real time location and velocity

of the bus or other motor vehicle used to transport students to and from schools shall be made

available electronically to the department, as well as to authorized parents or guardians of students

who are being transported by such bus or other motor vehicle.

     (b) On and after July 1, 2027, all new school buses to be operated pursuant to § 31-20-

11(a) shall be equipped with a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system

that conforms with the requirements of subsection (a)(1) of this section, and the GPS requirements

of subsection (a)(2) of this section.

     (c) On and after July 1, 2032, all school buses to be operated pursuant to § 31-20-11(a)

shall be equipped with a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system that

conforms with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

     (d) The school departments with input and approval by the municipal police chief may

enter into an agreement with a private corporation or other entity to provide live digital video school

bus violation detection monitoring systems and to maintain and operate such systems.

     (e) No information that is otherwise required to be reported or be made available

electronically pursuant to this section shall be reported or be made available electronically in a

manner that would violate any applicable provision of federal, state or local law related to the

privacy of information or that would interfere with law enforcement investigations or otherwise

conflict with the interests of law enforcement.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

ENFORCEMENT

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     This act would allow parents or guardians to have access to GPS data of the bus or other

motor vehicle used to transport students to and from school.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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