HB 6273

HOUSE BILL NO. 6273
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled
"Michigan vehicle code,"
by amending section 627a (MCL 257.627a), as amended by
2016 PA 446.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 627a. (1) As used in this section:
(a) "Regularly
scheduled school session" means that part of a day scheduled for student
instruction until final dismissal of the student body for that day.
(b)
"School" means an educational institution operated by a local school
district or by a private, denominational, or parochial organization. School
does not include either of the following:
(i) An educational institution that the
department of education determines has its entire student population in
residence at the institution.
(ii) An educational institution to which all
students are transported in motor vehicles.
(c) "School
zone" means school property on which a school building is located and the
adjacent property. A school zone extends not more than 1,000 feet from the
school property line in any direction. If 2 or more schools occupy the same
property or adjacent properties, 1 of the following applies, as applicable:
(i) If the hours of instruction at the
schools are the same, then a single combined school zone shall be established.
(ii) If the hours of instruction at the
schools are different, overlapping school zones shall be established.
(2) A Subject to subsection (6),
a school zone speed limit on a highway segment in a school zone, which,
except as otherwise provided in this subsection, shall be in force not more
than 30 minutes before the first regularly scheduled school session, rounded to
the nearest multiple of 5 minutes, until school commences, and from dismissal
until not more than 30 minutes after the last regularly scheduled school
session, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes, may be decreased by not
more than 20 miles per hour less than the speed limit normally posted but shall
be not less than 25 miles per hour. A school superintendent may begin the
30-minute period before the first regularly scheduled school session described
in this subsection at a time that is less than 30 minutes before the first regularly
scheduled school session and that extends beyond the time school commences, may
begin the 30-minute period after dismissal at a time other than dismissal, and,
if a school has an off-campus lunch period, may designate the period provided
for off-campus lunch as a period during which the school zone speed limit
described in this subsection applies.
(3) School zone speed limits shall not apply to a limited
access highway or a highway segment over which a pedestrian overhead walkway is
erected, if the walkway is adjacent to school property.
(3) (4) Notwithstanding
the requirements for a school zone as defined in subsection (1)(c), if a school
is located in an area that requires school children to cross a state trunk line
highway or county highway that has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or more to
attend that school, the school superintendent may submit a request to the state
transportation commission, county road commission, or local authority having
jurisdiction over the roadway, as applicable, for a school crossing as
permitted under section 613a. If , based on the traffic engineering studies, the
road authority determines the need for a lower speed limit, the road authority
may designate the crossing as a school zone. Before submitting a request, the
school superintendent shall have completed a school route plan as prescribed by
section 7A-1 of the Michigan manual of uniform traffic control devices.
(4) (5) If
a school is in session year-round, a sign reading "All Year School"
shall be posted on the same signpost as and immediately below the school zone
sign.
(5) (6) Louvered
signs, digital message signs, and flashing lights may be installed to
supplement or replace permanent signs required under this section. Signs
erected and maintained as required under this section shall conform to the
Michigan manual on uniform traffic control devices.
(6) Upon request of a school district or superintendent, a county road
commission may permanently decrease a school zone speed limit on a highway
segment in a school zone to 25 miles per hour if the county road commission
approves the request. A speed study is not required to be conducted for the
purpose of establishing a modified speed limit under this subsection.
(7) A person who
violates a speed limit established under this section is responsible for a
civil infraction.