CASPER, Wyo. — The state Legislature’s Joint Education Committee has called for the creation of a bill that would increase the penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses, the Star-Tribune reports.

As previously reported, students at a school district in Riverton, Wyo., had urged lawmakers to make changes to school bus safety laws following the death of their classmate, Makayla Marie Strahle. Strahle was killed in December 2011; she was crossing a road after disembarking her school bus when a vehicle struck her.

Now, lawmakers in the Joint Education Committee plan to consider and discuss the proposed changes at their next meeting in July, according to the Star-Tribune. Rep. Matt Teeters told the newspaper that the committee is interested in raising the penalties for bus-passing violations and making it a stepped offense so that penalties are increased for multiple offenses. Current state statute lists a maximum penalty of $750 and six months in jail.

The legislators also are considering installing external cameras on all daily route buses to help in catching and citing offenders.

To read the full story, click here.