The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that a new law will increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders.
PennDOT said the law – Act 59 or "Deana’s Law" – amends the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.
Under the new law, a new DUI charge with two prior offenses is now a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison.
A new DUI charge with three or more prior offenses is now a second-degree felony, punishable up to 10 years imprisonment.
The increased charges are for repeat offenders whose blood alcohol content is measured at .16 or higher or are under the influence of controlled substances.
In a statement, PennDOT added an update to sentencing guidelines: "a sentence imposed on an individual for a DUI offense who has two or more prior offenses shall be served consecutively to any other sentence the individual is serving or any other sentence imposed by the court, except for violations that are required to be merged."