In 2009, New York enacted a law called “Leandra’s Law” that makes it a felony for anyone to drive drunk with a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle that carries a punishment of up to four years’ incarceration.

The law was named after an 11-year-old girl who the passenger in car driving by a woman who had allegedly drank for hours before getting behind the wheel. The driver lost control of the vehicle and Leandra Rosado was killed in the crash. Anyone who is convicted under this law is required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on all vehicles they own for at least six months.

Under Leandra’s Law, drivers who cause the death of a child under the age of 16 while driving impaired by drugs or alcohol may serve up to 25 years in prison for this Class B felony. Drivers who cause serious injury to a passenger under the age of 16 may be charged with a Class C Felony which carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Parents and guardians who are charged with drunk driving or drugged driving  while their child or children are in the vehicle will be reported for child abuse.