The ongoing debate over long school bus rides in West Virginia has spawned a House-approved attempt to enforce statewide guidelines for younger students.

Passed to the Senate on Tuesday, the bill envisions half-hour bus routes one way for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The bill also recommends 45-minute trips for intermediate and junior high schools, and an hour for high schools.

The bill would only apply to future routes prompted by new or
consolidated schools or closings. Counties would need the state's
approval for such routes that would last at least 15 minutes longer. But it would bar waivers for routes exceeding the standard by 30 or more minutes.

Delegates voted 95-3. Opponents argued it wrongly dictated policy to county schools.