ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110114
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: General Assembly Notebook
Motorists who zip by a school bus that is picking up children may soon face more than a guilty conscience.
The Senate and House both passed bills Monday that would raise the fine for passing a stopped school bus from $50 to $250. The rate was raised to equal what drivers have to pay for speeding in a construction zone.
The legislation was prompted by the death of an 8-year-old boy who was hit by a passing car as he prepared to board a school bus in Cumberland County.
Medicinal heroin banned
The Senate voted Monday to repeal a law that allows doctors to prescribe limited amounts of heroin for pain relief in terminally ill patients.
The General Assembly passed a law in 1988 allowing doctors to prescribe heroin if the appropriate legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress. But Congress never passed such a law.
The House of Delegates voted to repeal the law Jan. 30.
The bill, sponsored by Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, is similar to another initiative repealing a state law that allows doctors to prescribe marijuana for cancer and glaucoma patients.
In other action ...
* The House passed a bill allowing localities to reduce speed limits in residential school zones from 25 mph to 15 mph.
* The Senate approved a bill requiring that school boards inform students that they can be prosecuted as adults for certain crimes.
What's next
House and Senate sessions begin at noon.
Key dates
Today: Last day for each house to act on the other chamber's budget bill and appoint members of the budget conference committee.
Feb. 17: Deadline for committee action on legislation.
Feb. 18: Midnight deadline for conference committee to reach compromise on budget.
Feb. 20: Vote on budget.
Feb. 22: Adjournment.
March 24: Last day for governor to sign, veto or amend legislation.
April 2: One-day reconvened session to act on governor's amendments and vetoes.
Want to be heard?
To leave a message for state legislators, call(800) 889-0229 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays or write c/o General Assembly Building, Richmond 23219. To track the status of bills, go on-line at www.roanoke.com and click on "The Richmond Archive."
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB