Kentucky House Bill 7 Expands School Bus Stop Requirements

The Government of Kentucky enacted House Bill 7, which took effect in July 2026 to expand safety requirements for drivers encountering school and church buses. Under the new law, drivers must stop when flashing red lights and stop arms are activated on two-lane, three-lane, and multi-lane roads with center turn lanes. Previously, these requirements primarily applied to two-lane roads.

An exception exists for drivers traveling in the opposite direction on roads with four or more lanes that are divided by an elevated barrier or an unpaved median. To ensure compliance, the state allows school districts to install camera monitoring systems to record license plates and violation details, supplementing traditional law enforcement patrols.

First-time offenders face a $300 civil penalty, while subsequent violations within three years increase to $500. If a driver cannot be identified, the registered owner or lessee is presumed responsible. Failure to pay these penalties may lead to the suspension of the vehicle registration. Revenue generated from these fines remains with the operating school district.

Implementation varies by district. Hardin County Schools has already equipped 70% of its buses with cameras, while Jefferson County Public Schools is currently seeking a vendor for the technology.