NASHVILLE (AP) - The state Senate has passed a bill to increase penalties for drunken drivers if children riding in their cars are injured or killed.

The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed the bill sponsored by Sen. Mark Norris, a Collierville Republican. The measure would classify drunken-driving accidents that cause injuries as vehicular assault, which would cause first-time convicted drivers to lose their licenses for a year in addition to any prison time.

Drunken-driving accidents that cause the death of children would be classified as vehicular homicide, which would allow a judge to strip the driver's license for three to 10 years. The bill does not address current laws for hurting people in other cars in a DUI accident.

The companion bill has been assigned to a subcommittee of the House Finance Committee.

Read SB2973 on the General Assembly's Web site at: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us

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