HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Senate has approved a package of bills sponsored by Judy Ward that would increase penalties for certain fatal traffic crashes and tighten oversight of commercial driver training and licensing requirements.

One proposal, Senate Bill 1286, would increase penalties for causing an unintentional death in a traffic accident. The bill would establish an ungraded misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and a driver’s license suspension of up to two years.

The measure, known as the “Kyle Costello and Glenn Compton Law,” is named after two individuals killed in separate traffic accidents. Supporters of the legislation said current penalties in some fatal crash cases are too lenient.

Ward, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said the bill is intended to address gaps in the state vehicle code involving fatal crashes.

The Senate also approved Senate Bills 1294 and 1295, which focus on commercial driver licensing and training standards.

The legislation follows a Senate Transportation Committee hearing that examined concerns about commercial driver training programs and oversight. Lawmakers cited concerns about unqualified training providers, often referred to as “CDL mills,” and whether some commercial drivers are adequately prepared to safely operate large vehicles.

Senate Bill 1294 would allow the Pennsylvania Department of Education to impose stronger penalties against commercial driver training providers found to be operating improperly.

Senate Bill 1295 would require commercial driver’s license testing to be conducted in English, though CDL manuals would still be available in multiple languages.

Federal law requires states to issue nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses to individuals legally authorized to work temporarily in the United States. Supporters of the legislation said the bills are intended to improve consistency and oversight within the licensing and training system.

All three bills now head to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.