Boston, MA – The state needs to do more to protect people from repeat drunk drivers said Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, who met Monday August 8th with the parents and grandfather of Melanie Powell, 12 year old who was struck and killed by a drunk driver in July 2003. Barrios is working with a bipartisan group of legislators to push for quick action on an overhaul of the state’s drunk driving laws dubbed “Melanie’s Bill.”

“Repeat drunk drivers have proven they’re a danger to our families and that they can’t be trusted behind the wheel,” said Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, who serves as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee of Public Safety and Homeland Security. “It’s clear that more needs to be done to toughen our laws in order to keep repeat offenders off our streets.”

In 2004, police arrested 2,008 repeat drunken drivers, according to Robert Creedon, spokesman for the Registry of Motor Vehicles. According the Boston Herald, more than 37,000 residents have had their licenses revoked as "habitual offenders." Melanie’s Bill strengthens drunk driving laws by increasing penalties for repeat drunk drivers and creating additional crimes for driving under the influence with a child in the car and for driving with a blood alcohol content of .20 or higher which is more than twice the legal limit. It also creates a crime of manslaughter by motor vehicle which allows prosecutors to charge offenders with the more serious crime of manslaughter while still the offender faces license suspension (under current law individuals convicted of manslaughter in a motor vehicle do not lose their driver’s license.)

“Strong drunk driving laws combined with high visibility enforcement are proven deterrents to drunk driving,” said David DeIuliis, spokesman for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). “Passing Melanie’s Bill will help to hold people responsible and provide meaningful consequences for those who choose to commit this violent crime.”

In another provision aimed at repeat offenders, the bill provides for an additional sentencing option that will allow judges to impound the vehicle of a repeat offender and the bill allows judges to seize and order the sale of vehicles of repeat offenders. The proceeds of such sale will be deposited into the newly established Drunk Driving Trust Fund which benefits drunk driving victims and their families.

“We can prevent future tragedies and keep our streets safer for children and their families by moving quickly to pass Melanie’s Bill,” concluded Senator Barrios, who also signed onto a letter authored by Senator Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) and co-signed by 39 other legislators urging the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing on the bill as soon as possible. Melanie’s Bill was filed in late May has not been scheduled for an official public hearing date.

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