(a)        Definition. – An “automated school bus safety camera” is a device that is affixed to a school bus, as that term is used in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-217, that is synchronized to automatically record photographs or video of a vehicle at the time the vehicle is detected for a violation of (i) N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-217 or (ii) an ordinance adopted under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-246

(b)        Installation and Operation. – Automated school bus safety cameras may be installed and operated on any school bus operated by a local board of education within a county that has adopted an ordinance under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-246 as follows:

(1)        A local board of education may install and operate automated school bus safety cameras without contracting with a private vendor.

(2)        A local board of education may enter into a service contract to install and operate automated school bus safety cameras with a private vendor. Contracts shall be let in accordance with the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-129 applicable to purchases of apparatus, supplies, materials, or equipment. The maximum length of any contract entered into under this subdivision shall be three years. A contract entered into under this subdivision may contain an option to renew or extend the contract for only one additional term not to exceed three years.

(3)        Upon request by one or more local boards of education, the State Board of Education shall enter into a contract for a statewide service or contracts for regional services to install and operate automated school bus safety cameras with a private vendor. These contracts shall be let in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the N.C. Gen. Stat..

(c)        Interlocal Agreements. – Any local board of education, board of county commissioners, and law enforcement agency may enter into an interlocal agreement pursuant to Part 1 of Article 20 of Chapter 160A of the N.C. Gen. Stat. that is necessary and proper to effectuate the purpose and intent of this section and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-246 Any agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection may include provisions on cost-sharing and reimbursement to which the local board of education, board of county commissioners, or law enforcement agency freely and voluntarily agree for the purposes of effectuating this section and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-246

(d)       Evidence in Criminal Proceeding. – Any photographs or videos recorded by an automated school bus safety camera that capture a violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-217 shall also be provided to the investigating law enforcement agency for use as evidence in any proceeding alleging a violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-217 ?(2017-188, s. 2.)