Ignition Interlock (H 5149, H 5538, H 5774, H 5899, S 0563A as amended, S 0566)

The General Assembly again considered a number of bills dealing with the required installation of ignition interlock devices in the cars of individuals convicted of DUI and other offenses.  The ACLU testified that such a mandate on all DUI offenders restricted the ability of judges to impose penalties tailored to each individual defendant, that the legislation was so broadly worded it applied to some traffic offenses that did not involve a finding that the driver was under the influence, and that it failed to take into account the needs of indigent defendants.  In June, the Senate nonetheless passed the legislation (S 0563A as amended), but it died without a vote in House Judiciary committee.