Rep. Robert Nardolillo III will introduce legislation to make driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child under the age of thirteen in the vehicle a felony offense.

REP. ROBERT NARDOLILLO III WILL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO MAKE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WITH A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF THIRTEEN IN THE VEHICLE A FELONY OFFENSE.

1/9/2018

STATE HOUSE- Rep. Robert Nardolillo III (District 28 – Coventry) announced on January 9, 2017, that he will be introducing legislation to make driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child under the age of thirteen in the vehicle a felony offense. This legislation will coincide with a bill introduced in the Senate by Sen. Maryellen Goodwin.

Rhode Island State House

Rhode Island has seen a significant rise in the number of fatalities on the road and of these about half can be attributed to driving under the influence. There have also been a number of DUI cases which show children as young as two years old present in the car at the time of arrest. Some shocking examples include a man who was arrested in December with a blood alcohol level of nearly three times the legal limit and a nine-year-old girl in the back seat. Others include a woman involved in a crash on Route 1 with her four-year-old son in the car and a man who was stopped while driving drunk with five children between ages two and sixteen present.

“These children are innocent bystanders caught up in the destructive decisions made by their parents and caregivers. There needs to be more serious consequences than a simple misdemeanor” said Rep. Nardolillo. “This legislation would send a clear message that if you endanger the life of a child because of your choices there will be repercussions”.

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In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders. As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.