You could go to jail for illegally passing a stopped school bus if a local lawmaker gets his way.

Florida Sen. David Simmons, R-Longwood, is sponsoring the bill. It calls for stronger penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus.

The proposal – called Gabby’s Law – is named after a 12-year-old girl who was hit and killed by a car back in 2010, moments after stepping off her school bus.

Her father, Donald Mair, said the new proposal is a step in the right direction, but he believes there is still more that needs to be done to keep kids safe.

Gabby Mair's death drew attention to what some lawmakers say is a growing problem in Florida. Motorists pass stopped school buses on the left and on the right, despite the flashing lights and extended stop signs.

Simmons said the offense happens hundreds of thousands of times a year. His bill will raise driver awareness and raise the penalty for violators. If Gabby’s law is passed, fines for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus would go up from $265 to $500 for the first offense and the driver could even end up in jail. A second offense would cost up $1,000 and could send a driver to jail for six months.

Gabby’s father said while he’ll never get over the loss of his daughter, he’s hoping the bill, named in her honor, will help stop his tragedy from happening to other families.

Mair said the only loophole is that for a person to be cited, an officer would have to witness the offense.

Simmons said if the bill passes the House and Senate with no opposition, it could be a law in the state by July.