HOUSE BILL NO. 1010

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Transportation

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Tran)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-873.3, relating to vulnerable pedestrian zones; speed limits.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 46.2-873.3 as follows:

§ 46.2-873.3. Maximum speed limit in vulnerable pedestrian zones; local authority to set.

A. For the purposes of this section,

"Child day center" means the same as that term is defined in § 22.1-289.02.

"Large children's sports complex" means any facility that (i) is primarily designed for amateur and youth sports, (ii) has a program in which children or students enroll, and (iii) has more than 150 children or students enrolled in its program.

"Vulnerable pedestrian zone" means a zone so designated by a locality pursuant to subsection B.

B. The governing body of any locality may by ordinance designate any highway, including those in the state highway system, within its boundaries as a vulnerable pedestrian zone if (i) such highway is within 750 feet of the property limits of a child day center facility or large children's sports complex, (ii) the presence of children on or around such highways establishes a potential safety risk, and (iii) such child day center or large children's sports complex has agreed to pay the cost of placing signs as required pursuant to subsection D.

C. The governing body of any locality may by ordinance reduce the speed limit on any highway designated as a vulnerable pedestrian zone pursuant to subsection B or restore a speed limit that had been reduced pursuant to this subsection to the speed limit that had been previously posted at that location, provided that such reduced or restored speed limit is indicated by lawfully placed signs. At least 30 days prior to changing a speed limit on any highway in the state highway system pursuant to this subsection, the governing body shall provide written notice of the change to the Commissioner of Highways. If any provision of this subsection is inconsistent with the provisions of § 33.2-310, 33.2-317, 33.2-326, 46.2-878, or 46.2-1300 this subsection shall be controlling.

D. In addition to the speed limit signs required pursuant to subsection C, the governing body shall post or cause to be posted conspicuous signs within 500 feet of any vulnerable pedestrian zone, indicating the presence of such a zone and the upcoming decrease in speed. The costs of producing, placing, and maintaining these signs shall be paid by the child day center or large children's sports complex located within such zone.