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H 3814

An Act increasing the penalties for passing a stopped school bus

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Susannah Whipps

Adds a 7-day license suspension to the existing $250 fine for passing a stopped school bus, aiming to deter dangerous offenses by MA drivers and enforce via the RMV.

Read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 3814

Summary of House Bill H.3814 (An Act increasing the penalties for passing a stopped school bus)

Overview

H.3814, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Susannah M. Whipps, seeks to increase penalties for the offense of passing a stopped school bus in Massachusetts. The bill would amend Section 14 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws to add a license suspension to the existing penalties.

  • Bill number: H.3814
  • Title: An Act increasing the penalties for passing a stopped school bus
  • Sponsor: Rep. Susannah M. Whipps (2nd Franklin)
  • Status: Read second and ordered to a third reading (as of the latest actions)
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Related materials: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 (H.3475); Related replacement bill: H.D.180

Key provision

  • Amend Section 14 of Chapter 90 (General Laws) by inserting after the monetary penalty figure "$250" the following: “and a 7 day suspension of the person’s license or right to operate a motor vehicle.”
    • In effect, the offense would carry both a $250 fine and a 7-day license suspension (for the person who passes a stopped school bus).

Purpose and intent

  • To deter the dangerous practice of passing a school bus that is stopped to load or unload students.
  • To add an additional, enforceable consequence (license suspension) beyond the existing monetary penalty, aiming to reduce repeat offenses and enhance student safety.

Who/what is affected

  • Drivers in Massachusetts who commit the offense of passing a stopped school bus.
  • Licensing authority (Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles) would be tasked with administering the 7-day suspension as part of the penalty, alongside the monetary fine.
  • School transportation safety programs and school districts may experience a potential impact on incident reporting and enforcement.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Legislative actions timeline:
    • 2025-02-27: Referred to the Committee on Transportation
    • 2025-09-29: Bill reported favorably by committee; referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
    • 2025-10-27: Committee reported; placed in the Orders of the Day; Rules suspended; Read second and ordered to a third reading
  • The bill’s status indicates it has progressed through multiple readings and committee actions, with ongoing consideration for passage.
  • Hearing dates noted (subject to change): A hearing was scheduled for July 22, 2025 (11:00 AM–1:00 PM).

Fiscal and enforcement considerations

  • The amendment introduces a new administrative penalty (7-day license suspension) in addition to a fine.
  • Potential impacts include administrative processing time for suspensions, potential revenue effects from fines, and enforcement resource considerations for issuing suspensions.

Related and historical context

  • Related bill in a prior session: H.3475 (2023-2024) and replacement by H.D.180 (HD 180).
  • The current version mirrors prior proposals aimed at strengthening penalties for the same offense.

Bottom line

H.3814 would strengthen penalties for passing a stopped school bus by adding a 7-day suspension of the driver’s license or right to operate a vehicle to the existing $250 fine, subject to Massachusetts’ licensing and enforcement processes. The measure is moving through the legislative process with active committee consideration and scheduled readings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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