NC S872

Authorizes photographs and videos recorded by automated school bus safety cameras to be admissible as evidence in prosecutions for failing to stop for a school bus, if consistent with North Carolina Rules of Evidence.

Establishes that camera recordings showing a stopped school bus displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights constitute prima facie evidence that the bus was stopped for receiving/discharging passengers and was properly equipped and marked.

Specifies that failure to produce camera recordings does not prevent prosecution under the school bus stop law.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to be distributed to local school administrative units for purchasing and installing automated school bus safety cameras.

Camera evidence provision becomes effective December 1, 2024, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date; funding provision becomes effective July 1, 2024.