Noah's Law Strengthened, Gets Preliminary Approval

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Maryland lawmakers breathed new life into the ignition interlock bill after supporters claimed it was watered down.

Political reporter Pat Warren explains the changes.

The plan puts ignition interlock systems in the cars of first time offenders.

Officer Noah Leotta's assignment the night of December 3 put him on drunk driving duty, an assignment that would end his life when he was hit by a drunk driver. His family joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving in what's become a crusade to put ignition interlock systems on the cars of first time offenders.

"If you're over the limit, you're drunk. You don't drive drunk. That puts everybody at risk. My son is dead because of that," said Richard Leotta, Noah's father.

A House committee last week approved a version of the interlock bill but there was further upset when it took out a provision to include drivers who refuse to take a breathalyzer test.

Friday, new changes were made.

"It put some real teeth back into the bill," said Delegate Benjamin Kramer.

Teeth that require anyone refusing a breathalyzer to face license suspension and if there is a subsequent conviction, a mandatory interlock system. You have to breathe into a tube and if alcohol is detected, your car won't start.

"And there is no other piece of legislation that will be before this body during this year that you can point to and say there will be lives saved; there will be bodies that will not be torn apart in drunk driving tragedies," said Kramer.

The bill is likely to pass the House next week. This is something supporters have been aiming for for seven years.

There was a hearing on the bill in the Senate Thursday.