The Judiciary Committee today approved Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's money-saving plan to offer house arrest to some people convicted of driving while intoxicated.
On a 29 to 12 vote, the committee approved a bill that would allow those convicted of DWI -- as well as those found guilty of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of small amounts of marijuana -- to serve their sentences at home instead of in prison. The Department of Corrections would have the discretion to decide which prisoners would qualify.
The measure would also change the rules pertaining to first-time DWI convictions. Instead of a one-year suspension, as is the case under current law, offenders would have their drivers' licenses suspended for three months and use an ignition inter-lock system for the remaining nine.