Alcohol Monitoring Systems applauds the New York State Senate, and in particular the leadership of Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), with the passage of S6636. The new law is intended to strengthen Leandra’s Law, which was signed into law in 2011, and mandated ignition interlock for every convicted DUI offender in every vehicle they own for at least six months.
The addition of Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) provisions for those offenders who demonstrate good cause for not having an ignition interlock installed in their vehicle compliments the existing body of interlock laws that are currently on the books. This is an important provision as it closes the loop for those offenders who try to game the system by not having an ignition interlock installed in their vehicle, usually claiming they don’t own or operate a vehicle, waiting or the mandatory six months to pass, then reapplying for a license without ever having to use the interlock.
According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, only 31% (7,100) of all eligible offenders complied with the existing ignition interlock provisions. If New York has the political willpower to move S6636 forward, roughly 15,000+ offenders who are violating with the existing law will be mandated to install and maintain an ignition interlock device or wear a CAM bracelet.
The bill is now with the state Assembly for consideration. Senator Fuschillo’s commitment to public safety and common sense approach to strengthening Leandras Law will be considered a model for other states to follow.
