Criminal Trespass. A person commits criminal trespass in the first degree, a gross misdemeanor, when the person knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building. A person commits criminal trespass in the second degree, a misdemeanor, when the person knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon the premises of another under circumstance not constituting criminal trespass in the first degree.
Burglary in the First Degree. A person commits burglary in the first degree, a class A felony, if, with the intent to commit a crime against a person or property therein, the person enters or remains unlawfully in a building and if, in entering, while in the building, or while fleeing the building, the person or another participant is either armed with a deadly weapon or assaults any person.
Burglary in the Second Degree. A person commits burglary in the second degree, a class B felony, if, with the intent to commit a crime against a person or property therein, the person enters or remains unlawfully in a building other than a vehicle or a dwelling.
Vehicle Prowling in the Second Degree. A person commits the crime of vehicle prowling in the second degree, a gross misdemeanor, if, with the intent to commit a crime against a person or property therein, the person enters or remains unlawfully in a vehicle that does not have sleeping quarters or cooking facilities. Upon a person's third or subsequent conviction the crime is elevated to a class C felony.
Richard Lenhart. Richard Lenhart was born, raised, and spent most of his life in Pasco, Washington. In 1970, Mr. Lenhart enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and obtained the specialty of Jet and Aircraft Specialist. After being honorably discharged, Mr. Lenhart transitioned to the Army National Guard and worked as a certified dental technician for nearly 40 years. Upon retiring, Mr. Lenhart began working as a school bus driver. Mr. Lenhart was loved by the children who rode his bus and would often read books aloud to them when he had a layover stop on his route. Tragically, on September 24th, 2021, Mr. Lenhart passed away protecting the 35 students riding his bus when a man armed with knife entered the bus. Due to Mr. Lenhart's actions, none of the children were harmed.
The bill as referred to committee not considered.
The Richard Lenhart act is created.
The crime of school bus trespass is created. A person commits the crime of school bus trespass if the person knowingly and maliciously enters or remains unlawfully in a public school bus and does any other act that creates a substantial risk of harm to passengers or the driver or causes a substantial interruption or impairment to services rendered by the public school bus.
Public school bus means any vehicle owned, leased, or operated by a public school district or education institution for the purpose of transporting students to and from school or school-related activities.
School bus trespass is classified as a seriousness level III class C felony, meaning a person convicted of this crime, with no relevant criminal history, would face a standard sentencing range of one to three months with a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.
School bus trespass does not apply to any of the following:
School districts and educational institutions must implement educational programs and awareness campaigns to educate students, parents, and the community about the importance of maintaining safety and security on public school buses emphasizing the potential consequences of school bus trespassing. Subject to funding school districts and educational institutions must post signage warning of the consequences of school bus trespass.