OH HB646

Amends Ohio Revised Code sections 4510.036 and 4511.75 to increase penalties for failing to stop for a school bus picking up or dropping off children when the offender has a prior violation within five years.

For a first violation of failing to stop for a school bus, the court may impose a fine up to $500 and/or a class seven license suspension.

For each violation within five years of a prior violation, the court shall impose either a $1,000 fine or a class five license suspension (or both).

Requires violators to appear in person in court to answer charges rather than entering a written guilty plea and waiving the right to contest the citation.

Applies to school buses stopping to receive or discharge school children, persons in community mental health programs, county developmental disability programs, or head start agency participants.