An Act To Improve Safety and Traffic Efficiency near School Grounds
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2057-B is enacted to read:
§ 2057-B. School crossing guards
1. Direct traffic. An operator of a motor vehicle shall obey a hand signal or handheld traffic control device of a school crossing guard qualified under subsection 2.
2. Qualifications. A school crossing guard is qualified to direct traffic pursuant to subsection 1 if the school crossing guard:
A. Is 18 years of age or older;
B. Is under the control of a local law enforcement agency or a school administrative unit;
C. Has completed training to perform any traffic direction duties to which the school crossing guard is assigned as prescribed by the local law enforcement agency or school administrative unit that has control over the school crossing guard; and
D. Is wearing an appropriate uniform as specified by the local law enforcement agency or school administrative unit that has control over the school crossing guard.
3. Assisting pedestrians. This section does not prohibit a school crossing guard who does not meet the specifications described in subsection 2 from assisting a pedestrian to cross a public way, as long as the school crossing guard does not attempt to do so by directing traffic.
SUMMARY
This bill allows a school crossing guard to direct traffic.