May. 24, 2017
HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by state Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Bushkill Township) that would strengthen penalties for DUI offenders now sits with the state Senate after a near unanimous vote of support today in the House.
“Anyone convicted of a DUI who then operates a vehicle despite their license being suspended currently faces the same penalty no matter how many times they get behind the wheel,” Hahn said. “
House Bill 1049 would create a tiered system that increases the fines and sentences with each subsequent offense.”
Under current law, anyone who operates a vehicle on a suspended license resulting from a DUI faces a $500 fine and 60-90 day jail sentence. Hahn’s legislation grades subsequent offenses as follows:
- Second offense - $1,000 fine and a minimum 90-day jail sentence.
- Third offense - $2,500 fine and no less than three months in jail. The penalty also graduates from a summary offense to a misdemeanor.
- Fourth offense – Misdemeanor with a $5,000 fine and no less than two years in jail.
“In committee, the bill was amended to allow a judge to impose a maximum five-year jail sentence if the offender is also convicted of homicide by vehicle,” added Hahn. “House Bill 1049 puts some much-needed ‘teeth’ into existing law that will hopefully further drive home the point that DUI will not be tolerated.”
Questions about this bill or any state government issue should be directed to Hahn’s district office at (610) 746-2100.
Representative Marcia Hahn
138th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
RepHahn.com / Facebook.com/RepHahn