Committee moves $5.9M to retrofit Maine school buses with crossing arms and safety sensors; DOE to create bus‑safety coordinator

The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs voted to move a $5.9 million initiative into the budget to retrofit approximately 1,700 Maine school buses with crossing arms and anti‑pinch door sensors. The initiative covers buses the state owns as well as privately owned vehicles contracted by school administrative units.

Committee staff described the measure as part of a broader safety push after recent school‑bus accidents. "Retrofitting crossing arms and anti‑pinch door sensors on school buses will ensure that our families and students feel safer when they head to class every day," staff summarized in the report template.

The committee also approved an initiative to establish a public‑service coordinator position within the Maine School Safety Center to develop and coordinate driver training, certification standards and bus safety education for staff, families and students. Dr. Laura Cyr of the Department of Education said trainings would be provided free and in both remote and in‑person formats.

Vote and rationale: The committee recorded a vote of those present moving reference number 194 (the retrofit initiative) out of committee as part of the report‑back to Appropriations; the tally recorded in committee minutes was unanimous among those voting (12‑0 in favor of reference 194). Members who voted in support said the retrofit will directly reduce preventable risks on routes; others urged careful oversight of implementation timelines and nonlapsing fund rules so unspent funds can be carried forward.

Next steps: The language accompanying the initiative (part T) authorizes nonlapsing treatment of the fund so unspent dollars can be carried forward for the designated purpose. The committee asked staff and the Department of Education to track implementation timing and report back as the appropriation is administered.

No legislative text changing policy was enacted at the meeting; this vote moves funding language forward to the Appropriations Committee.