Pa. Senate OKs bill targeting repeat DUI offenders

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Legislation is advancing legislation in Pennsylvania to impose stiffer punishments on a repeat drunk-driving offender who kills someone while driving under the influence.

The Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to send the bill to the House.

Currently, a drunk driver who kills someone faces a three-year mandatory sentence. Under the bill, that sentence would rise to five years in prison for a repeat drunk driver and to seven years in prison for someone who has two or more prior drunk-driving convictions.

The bill also adds a consecutive prison term for each victim.

The sponsor, Sen. John Rafferty of Montgomery County, says about one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of drunk driving are repeat offenders.