A new law regarding when motorists are allowed to pass a school bus is in effect due to an “alarming number of drivers who illegally pass school buses with deployed stop arms each day,” state Rep. Samara Heavin said
Kentucky House Bill 7 strengthens the existing school bus passing law by requiring “traffic in the opposite direction of a school or church bus to stop for the bus on a highway that is not divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median.”
The fine for breaking the new law is $300 for a first offense and $500 for a second offense (within a three-year period).
The new law also:
- Allow[s] the use of camera monitoring systems on school buses operated by a school district and allow the enforcement of a civil penalty for stop arm camera violations recorded by a camera monitoring system
- Require[s] that the revenue generated from a civil penalty be retained by the school district
- Allow[s] for suspension of motor vehicle registration for failure to timely pay a penalty
- Require[s] a school district or law enforcement agency to notify the Transportation Cabinet of the need to release a motor vehicle registration suspension within 1 business day of payment
The bill became law on July 7.
State Rep. Samara Heavrin explains the reasons behind the passage of the new law
Each school day, thousands of school buses activate stop arms and flashing lights as they pick up and drop off students. These measures are designed to keep students safe by alerting drivers to stop.
Despite this, lawmakers continue to hear from school bus drivers, parents, and law enforcement about the alarming number of drivers who illegally pass school buses with deployed stop arms each day. Far too often, we’re reading stories, seeing videos on social media, or witnessing drivers ignoring the law and putting our students at risk.
That is why the General Assembly passed House Bill 7, a school bus safety bill, during the 2026 Regular Session. The goal of the legislation is simple: to keep students safe by reducing the number of illegal school bus passing incidents statewide and holding more drivers accountable.
One way HB 7 aims to improve school bus safety is by requiring more vehicles to stop. Now, a driver must stop for a school or church bus with an activated stop arm and signal lights unless a roadway has four or more lanes divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median.
HB 7 also takes steps to make it easier for school districts and law enforcement to hold drivers who fail to obey the law accountable.
At its heart, this bill is all about prevention and keeping students boarding and exiting school buses safe. While no legislation can completely eliminate these stop arm violations from happening, HB 7 gives school districts and law enforcement another tool to improve school bus safety while increasing accountability for drivers who fail to follow the law. If we can prevent one tragedy or injury from occurring or make one driver pay more attention, HB 7 will have served its purpose.
So, as we enter a new school year, please remember to pay attention, slow down, and watch for school buses. Together, we can all do our part to strengthen school bus safety across the commonwealth.
