HARRISBURG – As students across PA return to school, Luzerne County Sen. Lisa Baker is urging the PA House to take pass her legislation to strengthen protections for children getting on and off school buses. Over the past five years, 25,136 PA drivers have been cited for violations in school zones, including 8,302 drivers cited for overtaking or illegally passing a school bus. Baker’s Senate Bill 65, which unanimously passed the PA Senate in September 2025, would increase the required stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet when a school bus is stopped with its red signal lights flashing and side stop arm activated. It also establishes a tiered penalty system for repeat offenders. Current law does not provide enhanced penalties for a second or subsequent school bus passing violation. Baker said the state House should not allow another school year to begin without acting. The bill is awaiting consideration by the full House.
