First-time offenders found guilty of driving under the influence would need to drive with an interlock ignition device after six month license suspension under a proposed bill in the Iowa legislature.

The interlock ignition device checks a driver for sobriety before turning on the ignition, similar to a breathalyzer device. The engine will not start if the blood alcohol level is found to be higher than 0.02 percent.

The bill also provides for a reduced fine of $625. According to the current law, first-time offenders can have their license suspended and face a fine of $1250.

“The goal is so that people can maintain their jobs, “ said Sen. Chris Brase, D-Muscatine, who introduced the bill in the Senate. “The goal is to change behavior and not just punish.” 

Senate File 2299 was passed by the Senate 28-20 and by the House 89-5 with amendments. The Senate rejected the amendments on Monday and the bill was sent back to the House.

Brase said the legislation was seen as a better way for first-time offenders to use their cars for transportation to work and be productive members of the society.

According to the Iowa State Patrol Division, 1923 people were arrested last year for operating while intoxicated. Iowa had 92 drunk driving deaths in 2012, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Currently, all states recognize drunk driving as a serious misdemeanor for the first offense. There are varying penalties for second offenses including installing the interlock device and a charge of aggravated misdemeanor.

“There was a feeling that we needed to get first-time offenders on track to be non-offenders,“ said Sen. Michael Breitbach, R-Strawberry Point. “The best way to do that was to give them an option.”

Breitbach said the reduced fee is meant to pay for the interlock device which costs around $500.

“Basically, what we are doing is guaranteeing that those people would not be on the road … drunk, as they are putting the interlock device in their car so that they can’t drive without doing a breath test,” he said.

Interest groups Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Property Casualty Insurers of America support the bill while the American Civil Liberties Union is registered against it. Opponents of the bill argued that the bill gives a lesser penalty to first-time offenders.

The bill went ahead with a few amendments. The Senate version of the bill has a provision which provides a reduced cost for the interlock device for low-income individuals. This provision was removed in an amendment in the House version. It also removes the option of going with the current law.

Breitbach said supporters argued that current penalties put first-time offenders in a downward spiral as they are likely to lose their jobs and again turn towards alcohol.

“I believe there is a good opportunity for some of our low-wage earners to maintain their jobs. This bill is a step in the right direction,” Brase said.

He said he is hopeful about getting the legislation passed in this session with bipartisan support.