Sponsors call for tougher penalties in active school zones after student’s death; committee hears House Bill 203

Chairman Thomas and members of the House Judiciary Committee heard sponsor testimony on House Bill 203, known as the Aspen Reynolds law, at a committee hearing. Representative Hall, who introduced the bill with Representative Williams, told the committee the legislation was drafted after Aspen Reynolds, a Lakota East freshman, was struck and killed as she walked between school buildings in May 2024.

"This important legislation was brought to me from constituents in my district as a result of a recent tragedy," Representative Hall said, describing local outrage after a driver pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in the case. Hall and his joint sponsor said the bill is intended to treat active school zones more like active construction zones by increasing penalties and fines when a traffic offense occurs in an active school zone.

The bill would do several things, according to the sponsors' presentation and…