Family and friends of school bus victims speak on bill to increase bus safety
By Jackie Mundry
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AUGUSTA, Maine (WMTW) — The families of two Maine boys killed by school buses were in Augusta on Thursday for a public hearing on bus safety legislation.
“I’d hate to see anyone else go through this,” Shane Callahan, the dad of 12-year-old Brayden Callahan, said.
Brayden died after being hit by a school bus in Rockland.
“He was really smart, he loved his Legos, and I’m definitely gonna miss him,” Callahan said.
This bill is gaining bipartisan support in the Transportation Committee. It would increase technology on school buses and mandate that a control arm be installed on every school bus in Maine and deployed at bus stops.
“That stop sign you see, come out that arm come out, to let traffic know that the bus is stopping. The bumper arm goes down as well, and it forces the child to walk, much more in front of the bus so that the bus driver can clearly see that child,” Rep. Valli Geiger, the bill’s sponsor, said.
Family and friends of 5-year-old Simon Gonzalez, who was killed by a bus in Standish, have been advocating for these changes since that day.
“These are Maine’s children,” Jennifer Foster said. “Moving forward, we can’t bring back Simon, we can’t bring back Brayden, but moving forward, with technology in 2026, we need to get these buses up to date.”
This bill isn’t the only push to keep Maine kids safer on buses. Gov. Janet Mills announced a proposal of $4.3 million in her supplemental budget to make school buses safer. Her proposal includes funding the same cross-arm that is in Geiger’s bill, as well as anti-pinch door sensors.
Mills also signed an executive order to establish a commission to review school bus safety issues.
“Just to know that she is looking out for the children of the state makes me feel better about the state,” Callahan said.
During the committee hearing, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed their support for the bill.
Next, it will go to a work session before going to both chambers of the legislature.
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