CHAPTER 145
H.P. 643 - L.D. 843
An Act to Clarify when Reduced Speed Limits are in Effect in School Zones
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, in order to assist motor vehicle operators in determining when school zone speed limits are in effect and thereby ensure the safety of children around school, it is necessary that this bill take effect prior to the beginning of the school year; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§28-B is enacted to read:
28-B. Improved school property. "Improved school property" means the developed portion of school property including driveways, parking lots, playgrounds, athletic fields or school buildings.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§§64-A and 64-B are enacted to read:
64-A. School. "School" has the same meaning as in Title 20-A, section 6353, subsection 7.
64-B. School zone. "School zone" means the portion of the public highway abutting improved school property or 300 feet on either side of a school entrance, whichever is greater.
Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §2074, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
A. Fifteen miles per hour when traveling in a school zone:
(1) During recess;
(2) When children are going to or leaving school during school opening or closing hours. For purposes of this paragraph, school opening and closing hours are 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after the beginning of the school day and 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after the end of the school day;
(3) When school speed limit signs are flashing during school opening or closing hours; or
(4) At other times designated by a municipal traffic ordinance that regulates town ways that are classified as local by the Department of Transportation in accordance with the federal functional classification system.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective May 14, 2001.
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