Throwing a large party, night out, or special event often requires special transportation, and many people opt for renting party buses. In Washington State, however, new legislation may change the way each party bus rental company operates. Governor Jay Inslee recently signed a law into effect in an attempt to prevent injuries and fatalities like those that have occurred elsewhere in the United States.

Nearly two dozen deaths have been related to party buses nationwide, according to a 2014 report by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. In 2012, an 11-year-old girl fell to her death from a bus window in Portland, causing legislative suggestions to regulate the party bus industry. Suggestions in the 2012 legislation included prohibiting the use of double-decker buses by a private bus rental company.

The new legislation requires all party bus operators to be registered with the state of Washington. There will also be stricter regulations for alcohol use. As long as all of the passengers are adults, alcohol will be permitted for consumption on the bus, however, the party bus companies must have an alcohol permit. The driver will also be responsible for the safety and behavior of the passengers.

Washington isn’t the only state attempting to make renting a party bus safer. California legislators are looking at amending the height restrictions for party buses after a number of deaths caused by passengers colliding with overpasses. New York legislators pushed for laws that would require party bus drivers to have a special license, mandate chaperons for underage passengers, and equip warning systems to alert drivers in case doors or windows are opened.

While bus rental prices may rise because of the new restrictions, the pros greatly outweigh the cons. It is unlikely that the price increase will be significant, and the increased safety will only add more demand to the party bus industry.