Fallen officer’s father makes final-day plea for ‘Noah’s Law’

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ANNAPOLIS – The father of a Montgomery County police officer killed by a suspected drunken driver urged senators and delegates Monday afternoon to break their impasse and pass legislation that would expand the use of ignition interlock devices for people convicted of driving drunk.

“Honor my son,” Richard Leotta said outside the State House. “Honor the sacrifice he made to this state.”

Time is of the essence, as the 2016 General Assembly session adjourns at midnight.

The legislation has been dubbed “Noah’s Law” for Noah Leotta, 24, who was struck and killed in December by a suspected drunken driver during a traffic stop involving another motorist. Leotta was on a police task force that enforced laws against drunken driving.

Luis Gustavo Reluzco, the suspected drunken driver, has been charged with negligent manslaughter in Leotta’s death.

The primary difference between the House and Senate versions is that House Bill 1342 would give motorists who refuse to take a breath test for intoxication the choice of having their driver’s license suspended for 270 days or having an ignition interlock system installed on the vehicle for one year. Senate Bill 945, in contrast, would not give these individuals a choice, requiring them to have an ignition interlock system installed on their vehicles.

Senate negotiators have held fast to their bill’s provisions, saying they take a stronger stand against drunken driving. Negotiators for the House, where interlock legislation has failed in past years, have been unwilling to yield.

The interlock devices prevent vehicle ignitions from working unless the motorist passes a breath test for sobriety. Under a 2011 law, the devices are required on the cars of Marylanders who were convicted of driving drunk with blood alcohol concentrations of .15.

The legislation currently under consideration before the House and Senate would expand the use of interlock devices for individuals convicted of drunken driving with a BAC of .08, the state’s minimum standard for being legally drunk.