Lawmakers in Massachusetts are headed to the negotiating table to settle on new rules to get chronic drunken drivers off roads in the state.

The state Senate approved a drunken driving bill after reinserting provisions from the original bill that were dropped in the House-approved version.

Melanie’s Bill – named for a 13-year-old-girl who was killed by a repeat drunken driver two years ago – targets drivers who try to avoid conviction by refusing to take breath-alcohol and field sobriety tests when stopped by police.

Senators restored wording to use ignition interlock devices that require drivers to blow into a mouthpiece, which measures the amount of alcohol on a person’s breath. If the driver blows clean, the car will then start; if not, it won’t budge.

The bill would create a criminal penalty for anyone who tampers with the device.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about one-third of all arrests or convictions for DUI come from repeat offenders.

The Senate version would also allow judges to impound a vehicle after a fourth drunken driving offense.

In addition, prosecutors would also be able to submit certified records or prior drunken driving convictions in court, rather than having to prove prior offenses again – as they are now required to do under Massachusetts law.

The House version would first require the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to rule it was constitutional.

The measure now heads to a House-Senate conference committee that will work on hammering out a compromise version to send to Gov. Mitt Romney for his signature.