UNDATED (WSAU) Wisconsin school bus drivers could lose their licenses for chatting on cell phones behind-the-wheel with kids on board. Assembly Republican Samantha Kerkman of Powers Lake proposed the measure, which had a public hearing at the State Capitol yesterday.

Kerkman says cell phones are dangerous distractions for those carrying school students – and those drivers must stay alert for possible emergencies to protect children’s safety. The bill includes fines of $200 for a first offense and $500 for a second. And if drivers are caught chatting twice in a two-year period, the D-O-T would take away their bus licenses for at least six months.

Drivers could still use their cell phones to call 9-1-1 for emergencies they see. Similar crackdowns have failed to pass the Legislature in recent years.