Standridge Advances Bill to Increase Penalties for Unauthorized School Bus Entry

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senator Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, has advanced legislation that prohibits someone from boarding a school bus without receiving permission from a school district employee.

Senate Bill 1927 makes it a D2 felony for a person without “proper authorization” to board a school bus or refuse to leave a school bus when asked. Currently, this crime is classified as a misdemeanor.

Standridge said she filed the legislation on behalf of Norman Public Schools.

“This is a simple bill that helps to keep kids safe on their way to and from school,” Standridge said. “No parent should have to worry about someone they don’t know stepping onto a school bus and harassing their children. Increasing the penalties for this crime is a common-sense way of prioritizing student safety.”

A D2 felony offense is punishable by up to two years in prison, with offenders required to serve at least 20% of their sentence.

SB 1927 is eligible to be heard by the full Senate after it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 7-1 this week.

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For more information, contact: communications@oksenate.gov