AB374: Bill Text

LRB-2189/1

PG&PJH:wlj:jf

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 374

April 27, 2005 - Introduced by Representatives Schneider and Seidel. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB374,1,3 An Act to renumber 120.13 (31) and 349.215; to amend 346.46 (2m); and to create 120.13 (31) (b) and 349.215 (2) of the statutes; relating to: adult school crossing guards signaling traffic to stop at school crossings.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, motor vehicle operators are required to obey the directions of school crossing guards at school crossings, including stopping their vehicles when directed to do so. All adult school crossing guards must be equipped with signs or signals to direct traffic to stop at school crossings. This bill requires each school crossing guard, except any guard in a first class city, to be offered use of a reflective, cloth stop sign attached to a lightweight pole of not less than five feet in length, or a reflective, cloth stop sign equipped with a flashing light, to direct traffic to stop at school crossings. The bill specifies that the Department of Transportation must design the stop sign and pay the costs of manufacture and distribution of the stop signs.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB374, s. 1 Section 1. 120.13 (31) of the statutes is renumbered 120.13 (31) (a).

AB374, s. 2 Section 2. 120.13 (31) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB374,2,7 120.13 (31) (b) The school board shall offer to each school crossing guard appointed under par. (a) a reflective, cloth stop sign, attached to a lightweight pole of not less than 5 feet in length, or a reflective, cloth stop sign equipped with a flashing light, to be used upon the roadway by the school crossing guard to direct traffic to stop at school crossings. The requirements of s. 349.215 (2) (b) apply to signs under this paragraph.

AB374, s. 3 Section 3. 346.46 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB374,2,14 346.46 (2m) Every operator of a motor vehicle approaching a school crossing which is controlled by an adult school crossing guard appointed under s. 120.13 (31) (a) or 349.215 (1) shall follow the directions of the school crossing guard. If directed by the school crossing guard to stop, the operator shall stop the vehicle not less than 10 feet nor more than 30 feet from the school crossing and shall remain stopped until the school crossing guard directs the operator to proceed.

AB374, s. 4 Section 4. 349.215 of the statutes is renumbered 349.215 (1).

AB374, s. 5 Section 5. 349.215 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

AB374,2,21 349.215 (2) (a) Except in 1st class cities, the governing body shall offer each school crossing guard appointed under sub. (1) a reflective, cloth stop sign, attached to a lightweight pole of not less than 5 feet in length, or a reflective, cloth stop sign equipped with a flashing light, to be used upon the roadway by the school crossing guard to direct traffic to stop at school crossings.

AB374,3,2 (b) The department shall specify the design of the stop signs under this subsection and s. 120.13 (31) (b). From the appropriation under s. 20.395 (3) (eq), the department shall pay the costs of sign manufacture and distribution of the signs in sufficient quantities to the governing bodies of cities, villages, towns, and counties under this subsection and to school boards under s. 120.13 (31) (b).

AB374, s. 6 Section 6. Effective date.

AB374,3,5 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 6th month beginning after publication.

AB374,3,6 (End)