House Bill 6233, introduced earlier this month, would strengthen convictions for motorists who injure or kill a person as a result of violating the “school bus zone.”

Rep. Tom McMillin proposed an amendment to Michigan vehicle code 257.601b to define the school bus zone as the area within 20 feet of a stopped school bus with its alternating red lights flashing and place penalties for these moving violations on par with those in road work zones, at emergency scenes and in school zones 30 minutes before and after school.

Motorists convicted of passing a stopped school bus and causing a death as a result could be sentenced up to 15 years in prison and have to pay $7,500 in fines. Meanwhile, an injury caused by passing a stopped bus could levy a prison sentence of up to a year and a $1,000 fine.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation.