WASHINGTON — A bill dubbed “Noah’s Law” is causing lots of last-minute drama in the Maryland General Assembly.
Although the anti-drunk driving measure unanimously passed the House and Senate, it’s tied up in some final-hour maneuvering. Its fate remains uncertain against a midnight deadline.
“It is common sense and it would be a travesty if this bill were not to pass this year,” said Del. Ben Kramer, a Montgomery County Democrat and chief House sponsor of Noah’s Law.
The bill — named for 24-year-old Montgomery County police officer Noah Leotta, killed by a suspected drunk driver in December — would expand the use of ignition interlock devices, which prevent drunk drivers from starting the engine.
While there hasn’t been a single vote against the bill, a six-member House-Senate conference committee is assigned the duty of ironing out differences in the separate versions passed by the House and Senate.
Supporters of the measure believe there’s better than a 50-50 chance that the conferees will reach a deal, allowing the bill onto final passage.
But veterans of the legislature warn that highway safety bills are often among the toughest types of legislation to pass, because of entrenched interests including those of the alcohol industry and defense lawyers.
The Senate version is tougher than the version passed by the House. Kramer, the Leottta family, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving back the Senate bill, which would require ignition interlocks for any driver who refuses a breathalyzer test.
The Senate measure would also require the devices for drivers arrested with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, even before facing trial.
“The House can simply accept the Senate version of the bill right now and we are finished, and that’s what I’m pushing for,” Kramer said.
The Senate has said that if it is to accept the weaker House version of Noah’s Law, then it would like to tack on a measure allowing those injured by a drunk driver the right to punitive damages if the offending driver has a blood alcohol content of .15 or higher and it is the driver’s second offense involving injury.
Gov. Larry Hogan has made clear his intention to sign Noah’s Law onto the books.
