INDIANA – Some new laws go into effect today in Indiana.

One new law means stricter penalties for drivers who pass a school bus when the stop arm is out. The violation goes from being a misdemeanor to a felony.

The law also helps schools pay for cameras to catch stop arm violations.

The law is in response to an accident in Rochester earlier this year where three siblings were killed when they were hit by a truck as they walked to their school bus.

Another new law means Hoosier students will have to take a citizenship test. It’s the same test people must take to become U.S. citizens.

Some lawmakers wanted to require students pass the test to graduate, but that language was taken out of the bill.

Indiana’s new hate crime law goes into effect, but the debate is continuing as to whether it will do any good. Some believed that the law is vague and does nothing to protect marginalized groups.

The law does not explicitly protect people based on age, sex or gender identity.

Those convicted of animal abuse will not be able to keep pets under a new law. Animal abusers will no longer be allowed to own, harbor, or train companion animals.

Many are still calling for increased penalties for people who harm animals.

Another law allows people who are wrongfully incarcerated be eligible to receive $50,000 for each year behind bars once a conviction is vacated due to innocence.