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House embraces bill to increase penalty for refusing a Drunk-driving test

8 hours ago in Local

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2011, file photo, a car approaches a sobriety checkpoint set up along a busy street in Albuquerque, N.M. A prestigious scientific panel is recommending that states significantly lower their drunken driving thresholds as part of a blueprint to eliminate the “entirely preventable” 10,000 alcohol-impaired driving deaths in the United States each year. Photo: Associated Press/ AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan

CONCORD, N.H.- A bill that would increase the penalty for a driver who refuses a blood-alcohol test when suspected of driving under the influence is another step closer to being signed by Gov. Ayotte, after House lawmakers changed their mind and embraced an amendment that raises the punishment.

In a vote of 259 to 94 lawmakers approved SB620 which increases the suspension of a person’s license from 6 to 9 months in the event they refuse to take a blood-alcohol test, which starts January 1, 2027.

Following the vote lawmakers from both sides of the isle said they expect the Senate will accept the compromise made to the legislation in the coming days and sent it to Governor Kelly Ayotte for her signature.

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