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NEW YORK STATE -- The State Senate has passed a bill making the punishment for boating while intoxicated equal to that of a DWI.

The law is named after Tiffany Heitkamp, 20, of Syracuse, who was killed during an alcohol related boating accident in July of 2006. If approved, the law would create a link between Boating While Intoxicated, Snowmobiling While Intoxicated and Driving While Intoxicated offenses.

Under current law, a person can be convicted in two or more separate cases and still be treated as a first time offender.

The bill is now awaiting approval of the State Assembly.