By Deb Nicklay, Mason City Globe Gazette

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on Friday will sign into law legislation that will help protect children boarding school buses — and he will do it at the school attended by the small girl in whose memory the new law was created.

Branstad will sign Kadyn’s Law at 11 a.m. Friday at Northwood-Kensett Elementary School, with friends and the family of the late Kadyn Halverson looking on.

Kadyn, 7, died of injuries when she was struck by a motorist while attempting to board a school bus at a rural Northwood home in May 2011.

The law tightens penalties and fines for those who violate school bus arm laws. It was unanimously passed the Iowa House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Kadyn’s mother, Kari Halverson, said she was “speechless, excited, emotional. I can’t believe this.” She and other family members were present for Wednesday’s vote.

“We are really, really excited” that the governor agreed to come to the school, said Kim Koenigs, who helped to research the bill and worked with Kadyn’s family on its passage. The bill passed the Iowa Senate earlier this month.

Failure to slow for a bus with flashing lights or stop when the stop arm is extended can result in fines up to $675 and 30 days in jail. The current fine is $200. Penalties increase with additional violations.

Causing serious injury brings a maximum fine of $500 and license suspension of up to 90 days. Causing a death doubles the penalties.

Legislators gave a standing ovation to all who had worked on the bill.