Deana’s Law, a bill designed to increase penalties and create more preventative measures for repeat DUI offenders, again went down to defeat Nov. 20, reports Ashley Johnson for 6abc.com.

The bill is named after Deana Eckman, who was killed by a six-time repeat DUI offender about three years ago.

Her Delaware County family has been championing the bill. They were hoping for passage by Thanksgiving.

“Friday was a huge slap in our face. We had a solid bill,” said Deana’s mother, Roseann.

Deana’s Law increases jail time for repeat DUI offenders, from a range of 3.5 to 7 years to 5 to 20 years. It also forces offenders to wear continuous alcohol monitoring devices.

The bill was passed twice by the Pennsylvania State Senate but didn’t make it past the state House.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Tom Killion, who introduced the bill in 2019, said Deana’s Law failed the first time because of a medical marijuana amendment. This time, it didn’t pass after Firearms Owners Against Crime spoke out against it.

“I don’t think they understand it [Deana’s Law] is after the third DUI. Not the first, second, but third to keep them off our streets– to keep Pennsylvania residents alive,” Roseann said.

Read more about Deana’s Law at 6abc.com.

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