New Bus Stop Laws effective 7/15/26

With the new school year a little more than a month away, there's no better time to brush up on the traffic laws related to school buses!

House Bill 7 amended KRS 158.485-490 effective 7/15/26. The statue now states that school districts may install and maintain camera systems on buses with a civil penalty for all stop arm violations. To be enforceable, the school bus must have properly deployed its stop arm and warning equipment. For a first offense, the penalty is a $300 fine. For additional offenses, the penalty is a $500 fine.

Additionally, KRS 189.370 was amended effective 7/15/26 changing the law regarding passing a school or church bus on a multi-lane road/highway.

NPD's Public Information Officer Sam Wade sat down with Fox 56 news to discuss the changes that went into effect on 7/15/26. You can watch the full interview here.