A new law to strengthen state DUI enforcement and sentencing laws, particularly for repeat offenders, was introduced on Jan. 23 by state Sen. Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera).

Having lost his eldest grandchild to an impaired driver, Archuleta seeks to use the tragedy to improve DUI laws for others. In partnership with Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, SB 907 will prevent future impaired driving deaths and hold offenders accountable, Archuleta said.

“No family should ever have to endure what my family experienced during the holidays last year,” Archuleta added. “We must strengthen California’s laws to better support law enforcement, and most importantly, we must stand with and support the families who are devastated by drunk drivers.”

SB 907 will implement five necessary changes to California’s DUI laws. “Braun’s Law” will ensure “Watson warnings” are read to all offenders who plead down from an impaired driving charge to a hit and run. After receiving a “Watson warning,” an individual who drives impaired again and kills someone automatically faces second degree murder charges.

The law was named after Braun Levi, 18, a tennis star from Loyola High School who was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver in Manhattan Beach on May 4, 2025. While the accused driver had previously been arrested for a DUI offense, the driver was allowed to plead guilty to a hit and run and did not receive a “Watson warning” – a loophole that SB 907 closes.

In addition to Braun’s Law, SB 907 targets repeat offenders with enhancements for prior felony convictions upon a new felony DUI, and increases the punishment for hit and run collisions if a driver has a prior DUI conviction within 10 years.

Other provisions include adding gross vehicular manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated to the violent felony list and a provision to allow for full term consecutive sentencing for multiple gross vehicular manslaughter  violations. For information, visit sd30.senate.ca.gov.