On its first day of floor debate, a bill strengthening Iowa’s hit-and-run penalties passed in the Iowa House Tuesday by more than a 90-vote margin.

House File 2398, which would allow felony charges to be filed against drivers who flee the scene of fatal accidents, passed 94-2 in the Iowa House and must now pass in the Senate to become law.

Currently, a driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run faces aggravated misdemeanor charges.

Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, who sponsored the measure, said she expects the bill to be assigned to the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee.

The House Public Safety Committee, of which Heddens is a member, approved the measure on Feb. 9. Tuesday’s vote occurred on the bill’s first day of debate on the floor of the House.