Senator Fuschillo Named “2013 Legislative Champion” by Madd New York

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today was named a “2013 Legislative Champion” by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) New York. MADD selected Senator Fuschillo for the award for his leadership in the State Legislature in getting reforms to Leandra’s Law passed.

     "I am extremely grateful and proud to have earned this honor from MADD.  MADD has been a strong and effective partner in our efforts to strengthen New York's DWI laws, prevent drunk driving, and save lives.  As a result, New York has some of the nation's strongest drunk driving laws. We've made tremendous progress but more work still needs to be done, because drunk drivers are still on the road causing tragedies. I look forward to working with MADD again to make our laws stronger and our streets safer," said Senator Fuschillo, Chairman of the Senate's Transportation Committee.

     The Leandra’s Law reforms authored by Senator Fuschillo, which took effect this past November 1^st, will ensure that more convicted drunk drivers comply with the law’s ignition interlock requirement. The law also makes it more difficult for offenders to claim they will not operate a car and enhance penalties for individuals who try to escape the law through fraud.

     Senator Fuschillo has also authored numerous DWI reform laws during his tenure in the Senate, including New York’s “.08” law, the aggravated vehicular homicide/assault law which raises penalties for drunk drivers who kill or injure others, and the original Leandra’s Law, which made it a felony to drive drunk with a child in the car and requires all convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlocks. 

     Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo (second right) is pictured with MADD New York Executive Director Rich Mallow (left), Denna Cohen of MADD (center), and fellow honorees Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (second left) and Senator Martin Dilan (right).