The Latest: Ignition interlock laws on last day of session

(AP) – The Latest on developments on the last day of the Maryland General Assembly’s 90-day session (all times local):

1:55 p.m.

The father of a Montgomery County police officer who died while working to stop drunk drivers says he has been assured by two lawmakers that a bill to expand ignition interlock laws in Maryland will pass this session.
    
Rich Leotta, whose son Noah died last year after being hit by a suspected drunk driver, said Monday he spoke to two lawmakers who are leading negotiations on two different versions of the legislation. He says he’s thankful something will pass to expand the law to require ignition interlock for first offenders.
    
He says he is hoping that stronger provisions pass that would require drunk drivers to install ignition interlock in their vehicles as soon as they blow a .08 in a breath test.
    
The House and Senate have passed different versions of the bill, and a panel of lawmakers is working on the differences. Lawmakers have until midnight to get the bill through the General Assembly.
    
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8 a.m.
    
Maryland lawmakers are heading into the last day of their legislative session with some high-profile bills still unresolved.
    
The session ends Monday at midnight.
    
Supporters of expanding the state’s ignition interlock requirements for all drunken drivers are concerned about a push to include a punitive damages provision in the bill. Supporters say that could end the measure’s chances of passing. That’s because the House of Delegates hasn’t moved forward with a separate bill to allow punitive damages against a defendant in a personal injury case with a blood alcohol level of .15 or greater.
    
Lawmakers also will be working to pass a police reform bill.
    
A panel of negotiators reached an agreement on a separate criminal justice reform bill Saturday night. It will go before lawmakers for a final vote.

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