AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Transportation Committee voted on Wednesday to move forward LD 62, An Act to Require Antipinch Sensors on School Bus Doors, sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell. The vote was unanimous of those present, 9-0 in favor with four members absent.
As amended, the bill would require antipinch sensors to be installed in all new school buses starting in 2025. The committee also agreed to ask the Maine Department of Education to recommend installing these devices in the current school bus fleet.
In 2022, two students, one from Auburn and another from Buxton, were caught by their school bus doors and subsequently dragged down the road.
"With today's vote by the Transportation Committee, Maine moves one step closer to enhancing the safety of our children on school buses," said Golek. "This legislation will put into place a common sense measure to ensure incidents like what took place last year in Auburn and Buxton do not happen again."
The bill will move to the full Legislature for consideration in the coming weeks.
Golek, a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Joint Select Committee on Housing, is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents Harpswell and part of Brunswick.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Golek], c. 305-965-2744