ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Senate has passed legislation that would increase the penalties for motorists who repeatedly pass a school bus while it is stopped for students to board or disembark.

Current law provides that an individual who is convicted two or more times of speeding in a construction zone be subject to a 60-day suspension of his or her driver’s license, but current law does not provide the same penalty for passing a stopped school bus two or more times.

Senate Bill S.1878 would amend the current law by adding a 60-day driver’s license suspension when an individual is convicted two or more times of passing a stopped school bus within a period of 10 years.

“This bill is intended to make our roads safer for our schoolchildren,” said Sen. John Bonacic, who sponsored the bill. “It’s bad enough that a driver passes a stopped school bus once, but to do it twice is unacceptable, and this law will dramatically impact those drivers who ignore this important law, and will encourage others to think twice when coming upon a stopped school bus.”

In late March, the bill was sent to the New York State Assembly’s transportation committee for consideration. If the bill is ultimately approved, it would take effect immediately.