LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Thomas Albert this week introduced legislation to close loopholes in Michigan law and ensure real consequences for drunk drivers who cause death or serious injury.

The main bill in the legislative package would be called “Lucia’s Law” in memory of an Allegan County 8-month-old who was killed a year ago by a drunk driver while sitting with her family in their front yard.

“This tragic case exposed shortcomings in Michigan’s drunk driving laws,” said Albert, R-Lowell. “These proposed reforms would ensure real consequences for the most serious drunk driving offenses by putting victims first and closing dangerous loopholes. The goal is to provide justice, deter repeat offenders and make Michigan’s roads safer for everyone.”

Lucia’s parents, Matthew and Rebecca Seifried, have advocated for changes to state law and worked tirelessly to increase awareness about the dangers of drunk driving throughout the past year.

“No family should have to experience what ours has endured,” the Seifried family said. “Lucia’s life mattered, and the laws in Michigan should reflect that. We are grateful for Senator Albert’s leadership in closing these dangerous gaps so that reckless choices come with real consequences and other families are spared this kind of loss.”

The driver in the incident pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 13 1/2 years in prison, a sentence the Seifried family supported. But the case exposed other shortcomings in Michigan law related to license restoration, penalties and insurance.

The Justice for Victims of Drunk Drivers package, Senate Bills 919 through 921, would:

• Require a court decision on whether drunk drivers who cause death or serious injury may continue driving while the case is being prosecuted. Current law often allows drunk drivers to regain a temporary license and resume driving almost immediately. This change would be known as Lucia’s Law.
• Establish tougher penalties for drunk drivers who kill someone, with a sentencing standard of five years. The change would bring Michigan — which now has no minimum sentence for drunk driving fatalities — more in line with states that already have stronger accountability laws.
• Change insurance laws to ensure the families of innocent victims do not have their injury liability benefits reduced or diverted by claims from others who were partially responsible for the incident.

“Insurance claims filed by a drunk driver’s drinking buddies should not be reducing liability benefits for innocent victims of an irresponsible action,” Albert said.

The legislation was referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.

“The Seifried family has suffered an unfathomable loss with forgiveness and grace,” Albert said. “Despite their grief, they have found the strength to advocate for change. As lawmakers, we must learn from this case and address the obvious shortcomings it exposed — to better provide justice for any Michigan family that may face a similar tragedy in the future.”

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