With this being Super Bowl weekend and all, you might say state Rep. Chris Quinn is taking a handoff from Sen. Tom Killion and running with the ball.
Quinn, R-168 of Middletown, is urging his colleagues in the House to quickly take up what is referred to as "Deana's Law."
Killion, R-9 of Middletown, was the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 773, which toughens the penalties for repeat DUI drivers and also makes it tougher for them to get behind the wheel in the first place.
The legislation has been dubbed "Deana's Law" in honor of Deana Eckman, a 45-year-old Brookhaven woman killed when a 6-time DUI offender slammed into her car last February.
The bill passed the Senate this week in an overwhelming 43-6 vote.
It now moves over to the House.
Quinn is leading the charge for quick passage.
“Tragedies like Deana’s are shocking, and simply shouldn’t happen,” Quinn said. “It is truly a shame that someone can continually have disregard for other people and recklessly get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Repeat offenders have clearly not learned any lessons and need to be treated more harshly under the law. I am glad that the majority of the Senate agrees with me and I hope my colleagues in the House will join them.”
Senate Bill 773 lengthens the sentences for repeat DUI offenders and requires offenders to wear a Continual Alcohol Monitor (CAM) after their fourth offense. Quinn introduced a similar bill in the House, House Bill 1821, and now wants to move forward on the version that has already cleared the Senate.
The bill has not yet been assigned to committee in the House.
The timing could not be better. This is Super Bowl weekend, a time when too many people over-indulge and then get behind the wheel.
If you're going to be drinking, please designate a sober driver. Use Uber. Take a Luft, or mass transit.
Do it for Deana.
Comments