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Updated: 11:51 PM Mar 11, 2010
School Bus Bill Moving Forward
A bill to increase penalties for illegally passing a school bus is one step closer to becoming law.
Posted: 11:51 PM Mar 11, 2010Reporter: Brooks Jarosz Email Address: brooks.jarosz@wsaz.com |
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12 Comments 
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A bill to increase penalties for illegally passing a school bus is one step closer to becoming law.
In the senate Judiciary Committee meeting Thursday they made some minor changes but now it's on the fast track to the Senate floor. With just days left in the Legislative session, lawmakers have to act fast. They rolled two bus stop safety bills into one creating stiffer penalties including big fines and jail time.
It's a bill that's been tossed around for years after a young girl, Haven McCarthy, was killed by a driver that failed to stop for a school bus.
"Right now she's laying on the side of the road in vain," Haven's father Jacob McCarthy said. "There's nothing that's been done to correct that problem."
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved and combined two House bills that would slap fines up to $500 and make it a felony for not stopping.
"I think it's important anytime that people recognize the importance of our safety of our kids when they're going to school," Committee Chair Jeffery Kessler said.
"I think it will get strong support on the floor and again I think this is a measure that is long overdue," Senator Evan Jenkins said. "I think it will get strong support on the floor and again I think this is a measure that is long overdue."
The only change to the bill would deal with safety cameras and where they can be placed on the bus.
"I just hope that this can be used as a deterrent," Delegate Kelli Sobonya said. "That no one will be charged with this because unfortunately that means a child's safety was put into jeopardy."
"We need to do what we can to send a very clear message to the driving public that if there's a school bus, the stop sign is out, you better stop," Jenkins said.
The bill's sponsor, Kelli Sobonya says this has taken a lot of hard work and requires a bipartisan effort to make this bill a reality.
The bill is expected to be taken up on the Senate floor Saturday.
Latest Comments
To: Regret Wow regret don't sound so EXCITED over this necessary law! Oh wait a minute you are one of those people who probably DON'T STOP for the school bus! OH GOODY we will be glad to take your money and charge you with a felony!
I hope they pass it. It's something needed very much! I just saw a man today pass the school bus just as it stopped at a little girl's house. Thank God she didn't have to cross the road. People, seriously, there is NOTHING worth killing a child over. If you are in such a hurry, leave earlier! It's not a stupid law, it's a child's life you are messing with. Think about it, what if it was YOUR child?
It's a sad state of affairs when a law is needed for something that should be instinctive to drivers with or without a law. Are we in such a hurry that we would risk the life of a child just to get there a few minutes later? Enforcement will be the next hurdle so I hope the law has some bite to it.
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