| West Virginia drivers will face stiffer penalties for passing stopped school buses under legislation signed into law by Gov. Joe Manchin yesterday.
The latest law increases the current fine of $50 to $100 for passing a stopped bus to $150 to $500.
Offenders can also spend from 30 to 180 days in jail, depending on whether they have committed an offense before.
Drivers who pass a stopped bus and cause injury or death could spend from one to 10 years in prison, depending on the seriousness of the injuries.
The governor also signed 22 additional bills including:
Increased penalties for selling tobacco to minors, outlaw participation in street gangs, and give beekeepers greater protection from being sued.
There is a new law to amend state election law to comply with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down restrictions on how much and in what matter corporations can spend in elections.
Critics of the law say it gives corporations unlimited power to influence elections with their money.
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