AN ACT to revise certain penalties for failure to stop for a school bus and to authorize the use of vehicle registration as prima facie EVIDENCE of RESPONSIBILITY.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑217 reads as rewritten:

§ 20‑217.  Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses in certain instances; evidence of identity of driver.

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(e)        Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, any person violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and shall pay a minimum fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00). one thousand dollars ($1,000). A person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall not receive a prayer for judgment continued under any circumstances.

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(g)        Any person who willfully violates subsection (a) of this section and strikes any person shall be guilty of a Class I felony and shall pay a minimum fine of one thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($1,250). two thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($2,250). Any person who willfully violates subsection (a) of this section and strikes any person, resulting in the death of that person, shall be guilty of a Class H felony and shall pay a minimum fine of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500).

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(i)         Whenever evidence is presented in any court or administrative hearing of the fact that a vehicle was operated in violation of this section, it shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle was operated by the person in whose name the vehicle was registered at the time of the violation according to the Division's records. If the vehicle is rented, then proof of that rental shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle was operated by the renter of the vehicle at the time of the violation.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2021, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.