A Pipersville family wants Pennsylvania to punish drunk driving deaths far more harshly, and a bipartisan bill they helped write is awaiting action when the General Assembly returns to session in September.

House Bill 2495, known as Joey's Law, would upgrade homicide by vehicle while DUI from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony and raise the mandatory minimum prison sentence from three years to five. The bill would also impose tougher penalties on repeat DUI offenders.

The legislation is named for Joseph "Joey" Kay, a 35-year-old Plumsteadville volunteer firefighter killed in a high-speed crash in June 2024. The driver, Colin Wahlers, had a blood alcohol content of 0.195% at the time, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08%. Wahlers later pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while DUI, fleeing police and related offenses.

In October 2025, a judge sentenced Wahlers to three to six years in prison.

"We realized that we need to make a bigger change for the state of Pennsylvania," Lauren Kay, Joey's sister, told Fox 29 in a segment that aired Wednesday. "We realized that other families will be going through this, and that's devastating."

Joey's mother, Sue Kay, and sisters Lauren, Megan and Shannon have spent the past two years lobbying lawmakers in Harrisburg. They connected with state Rep. Shelby Labs, a Republican whose 143rd District includes Plumstead Township and New Britain Township, and together they drafted the bill.

BUCKSCO.Today reported Wednesday that the Kay family has also courted prosecutors and advocacy groups including Mothers Against Drunk Driving. HB 2495 has bipartisan co-sponsorship, though the exact number of co-sponsors has not been publicly listed.

Under current Pennsylvania law (Title 75, Section 3735), homicide by vehicle while DUI carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 per count. The charge is elevated to a first-degree felony only if the offender has a prior DUI conviction. Joey's Law would make the first-degree felony classification apply regardless of prior record.

No committee hearing or floor vote has been scheduled for HB 2495. The General Assembly's fall session begins in September 2026.