REP. RITTER’S BILL ON PROTECTIONS
FOR SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS PASSES THE HOUSE

State Representative Matthew Ritter was pleased to see a bill he proposed unanimously pass the House this afternoon. The bill increases penalties for not obeying school crossing guards, which has been a particular problem in Hartford. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for discussion.

“I was approached by several school crossing guards earlier this year who proposed increasing the penalty for failing to stop,” Rep. Ritter said. “School crossing guards help get our kids safely to school every day, and often put themselves in harm’s way to do so. The penalty for failing to stop should be strong enough to make drivers think twice before they disobey the crossing guard.”

HB 5117, An Act Concerning Increased Penalties for Failing to Stop for School Crossing Guards, would strengthen the penalties available to the driver when they fail to immediately stop when directed to do so by a school crossing guards.

The new fine mandated by this bill is $450. The fine had previously been set to $100-$500, depending on the offense. The new fine makes this penalty the same as when a driver runs a stop sign extended from a bus when it is stopped.

Representative Ritter serves Hartford’s 1st Assembly district and is Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee.