SB303 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Motor vehicles, school and church buses, special stops required when approaching, criminal penalties for violations, further penalties for causing death or bodily injury, Sec. 32-5A-154 am'd.

Summary

This bill tightens penalties for illegally passing a stopped school or church bus, makes penalties criminal and based on prior convictions, increases license suspension periods, and adds severe penalties if injuries or deaths occur, while addressing local-funding rules.

What This Bill Does

It requires drivers to come to a complete stop for stopped school or church buses and only proceed when signaled to do so. It sets criminal penalties that rise with the number of prior convictions, increases driving-privilege suspension periods, and adds felony penalties if the violation causes bodily injury or death. It also bans driving under any conditions during suspension, even with limited permits or ignition-interlock devices, and clarifies signaling, signage, and some highway-exemption rules.

Who It Affects

• Drivers who illegally overtake or pass a stopped school bus or church bus (penalties depend on how many times they have been convicted before).
• Licensed drivers whose licenses or driving privileges are suspended or revoked under this law and who may lose their ability to drive for a set period.

Key Provisions

• Drivers must come to a complete stop for stopped school or church buses with signals and may not proceed until the bus resumes motion or signals to proceed.
• Creates a tiered penalty system: 1st conviction is a Class B misdemeanor with fines and a 90-day suspension; 2nd conviction is a Class A misdemeanor with higher fines and a 30-day to 1-year suspension; 3rd or more convictions are a Class C felony with higher fines and a 1-year to 3-year suspension/revocation.
• If the violation proximately causes bodily injury, the offender faces a Class C felony with up to $10,000 fine and a 1- to 3-year license revocation; if it causes death, a Class B felony with up to $20,000 fine and a 5-year revocation.
• The bill prohibits driving under any conditions during suspension or revocation, including when a limited driving permit or ignition interlock device would normally apply.
• Adds signage and signal requirements for school and church buses and specifies exemptions on certain divided highways and loading zones.
• If the driver cannot be identified, an inference may be made that the vehicle's registered owner committed the violation; rental agreements can rebut this inference in certain cases.
• Fines collected under this section go to the enforcing agency's general fund; the bill also notes local-funding constitutional considerations (with exceptions) and explains the act becomes law after a specific effective date.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles