Newsroom

    The New York State Senate today passed a bill that would ban certain criminal offenders from working on school buses (S.6157A). The bill, sponsored by Senator John Bonacic, prohibits people who are convicted of offenses, such as sex and drug crimes, from being school bus monitors.     The bill also bans anyone convicted under Leandra’s Law from being a school bus driver for five years after conviction. Leandra’s Law makes it a felony to drive drunk with others in the car who are under 16 years old.   

SENATE PASSES PACKAGE OF SCHOOL BUS BILLSBills intended to make riding bus safer for students, enhance communication, and make “school bus” signs more economical    The New York State Senate today passed a series school bus bills that will ensure child safety and enhanced communication. A bill was passed, sponsored by Senator John Bonacic, that increases the penalties for passing a stopped school bus (S.3099A).  The legislation would impose a sixty day suspension of a driver’s license if convicted of passing a stopped school bus two or more times.   

Bill Would Enact Governor’s Proposal To Include Misdemeanors    The New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Steve Saland (R-I-C, Poughkeepsie) and Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), for the largest expansion of the state’s DNA databank since it was created in 1994.  The legislation mirrors the databank expansion plan proposed by Governor Cuomo in his Executive Budget to require people convicted of all felonies, as well as all misdemeanors in the penal law to submit DNA samples. 

    The New York State Senate today passed legislation that creates new penalties for individuals supervising another driver while also under the influence of drugs or alcohol, also known as Abbagail’s Law (S.164C).  Senator Owen H. Johnson supported the new law.

Abbagail’s Law closes a big loophole by making it clear that ‘supervising drivers’ that are drunk will be held accountable for their irresponsible actions.  It’s simple to understand that if you are supervising a younger driver, you must be sober. Otherwise, the consequences can be tragic, like in the case of young Abbagail Buzard.