HB 442 Summary

• Authorizes county and municipal boards of education to establish civil enforcement programs using automated detection devices to monitor vehicles overtaking stopped school buses in violation of Section 32-5A-154, Code of Alabama 1975.

• Establishes civil fines of $300 for first offense, $750 for second offense, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense within a 5-year period, with revenues distributed as 40% to the county/municipal governing body, 40% to the school system, 10% to the State Department of Education, and 10% to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

• Makes vehicle owners presumptively responsible for violations but allows them to transfer responsibility to the actual operator by providing the driver's name and address; violators may contest notices in district or municipal court using a preponderance of evidence standard.

• Requires notices of violation to be sent by mail within 14 days of law enforcement review, include photographic/video evidence (without driver images), and give recipients at least 30 days to pay, transfer responsibility, or contest the violation.

• Prohibits violations from affecting driving records, insurance rates, or criminal history if timely paid; allows unpaid fines to result in vehicle license non-renewal, title transfer blocks, and driver's license suspension until payment is made.