Kansas House passes drunk driving laws

? The Kansas House has approved two bills changing the state’s penalties for driving under the influence.

The full House voted on the bills Thursday. One measure would increase penalties for drunk drivers who cause bodily harm to others in accidents, and the other would allow convicted drunk drivers to have the offense expunged from their record earlier.

Republican Rep. John Rubin of Shawnee said he supported sending a strong message by stiffening penalties on drunken drivers who cause harm.

Democratic Rep. John Carmichael of Wichita said he supported allowing drunk drivers to expunge the offense from their record after five years because it would only apply to their first offense and prevent it from doing excessive harm to their employment opportunities.

Both bills now will move to the Senate.