Iowa School Bus Safety Bill Heads to Governor

Lawmakers in Iowa have sent to the governor a bill increasing penalties for failing to heed school bus warning devices.

Kadyn’s law is named after Kadyn Halverson, a 7-year-old girl who was killed in May when she was hit by a pickup while walking toward a school bus in northern Iowa.

Failure to slow for a bus with flashing lights or stop when the stop arm is extended can result in fines up to $675 and 30 days in jail. The current fine is $200. Penalties increase with additional violations.

Causing serious injury brings a maximum fine of $500 and license suspension of up to 90 days. Causing a death doubles the penalties.

Rep. Dennis Cohoon, of Burlington, says 625 people are convicted of school bus violations annually in Iowa.