Gov. Brad Henry has signed into law the Aaron Gillming Act, which requires people convicted of a municipal ordinance relating to driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance to participate in an alcohol and drug program.

          Measure to Tackle Drunk Driving Passes House
OKLAHOMA CITY –A measure to continue the fight against drunk driving in Oklahoma passed the House of Representatives this week.
 House Bill 3240, also called the Aaron Gillming Act, would require persons convicted of a municipal ordinance relating to driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substance to participate in an alcohol-and-drug substance-abuse evaluation-and-assessment program.
 “This bill would help further address the serious issue of drunk driving in Oklahoma by putting in place requirements that will affect first-time drunk drivers and hopefully prevent there ever being a second offense,” said state Rep. David Derby, R-Owasso and author of the bill.
 Currently, if a DUI offender repeats the crime and goes to district court, he or she will have to participate in an alcohol/drug abuse assessment program.
  “We shouldn’t let such a serious crime happen twice before we take strong action that not only shows them we do not accept drinking and driving, but also helps them recover from alcohol or drug addictions,” said Derby.
 House Bill 3240 also states that the Department of Public Safety will not reinstate the driving privilege until completion of the program recommendations.
 Derby said House Bill 3240 is named after Aaron Gillming, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2008.
 “ ‘The Aaron Gillming Act,’ created in my son's name and honor, would benefit all future potential victims of drunk drivers and honor all now-murdered victims of drunk driving,” said  Brenda Montgomery, Aaron’s mother. “And of course it will send the much-needed message to these drunk drivers and repeat, habitual offenders that we are not going to tolerate you, any longer.”
 This past February, Montgomery started the Aaron Gillming Foundation, which is designed to help victims’ families with their immediate needs by providing a one-time voucher for household bills, as well as roadside and graveside crosses. Montgomery also plans to provide more sentimental items, like a teddy bear made using the victim’s clothing and shoes for minor children of victims.
 “It is truly amazing to see Brenda turn a tragedy into an amazing foundation helping others who have suffered as she has,” said Derby. “I applaud her efforts and her continued mission to tackle drunk driving in the state. I hope House Bill 3240 becomes law so we can honor both her and her son.”

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"THE AARON GILLMING ACT" has since been signed into effect by Governor Brad Henry and now serves the entire state of Oklahoma.