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New Law Governing Trespassing On School Buses
September 30, 2018
A new Florida law went into effect Monday that includes it a provision making it illegal to trespass on a school bus just the same as any other school property.
The Escambia County School District and Rep. Frank White worked together to close the loophole in the state law that excluded school buses from the school trespassing statute.
Prior to the 2018 Legislative Session, Superintendent Thomas expressed his concern over the issue of trespassing on school buses. Because Florida statute did not recognize a bus as school property, school officials and law enforcement were unable to penalize people who unlawfully board a school bus the way they can people who trespass on school grounds.
“As representative, my priority is the safety and welfare of the citizens of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties,” said White. “After learning about the bus trespass problem from Superintendent Thomas, I made it a priority to close the loophole in the law that prevented law enforcement from adequately protecting our students and school employees.”
Representative White was able to add language to a 2018 education bill that defines a school bus as “school property,” which makes trespassing on school buses equivalent to trespassing on school grounds—freeing up school districts and law enforcement to take immediate action in trespass incidents on school buses. The law applies to both public and nonpublic schools.
“This is important language, which further enhances the safety of our students while in our care. Whether on a school bus or on school grounds, the safety and security should be the same,” said Superintendent Thomas. “Entering a school bus unlawfully will have the same ramifications as trespassing on school grounds. It will be considered a crime.”
The Escambia County School District pushed unsuccessfully for a such a law in previous legislative sessions.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
2 Responses to “New Law Governing Trespassing On School Buses”
My son-in-law drove a school bus a few years ago. He would have problems with parents confronting him about their child or another little johnny misbehaving. Glad this law prevents people from boarding buses that are not students or county employees. Stand on the ground people !
Howie for “Safety on Buses”
Safety of the students should be the only thought and passing this law will or should send the message to some not to get on a bus to confront or cause problems. It’s a tool to aide law enforcement and the school district.