Gov. Mitt Romney signed a bill into law Oct. 28 intended to toughen drunken driving rules in Massachusetts and bring the state into compliance with federal standards.

Romney put pen to paper after lawmakers agreed to amendments toughening an earlier version of the bill.

Melanie’s Law – 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.

The new law, previously H4403, allows prosecutors to submit certified records or prior drunken driving convictions in court, rather than having to prove prior offenses again.

It also toughens existing penalties and creates new crimes, including: driving under the influence with a child under 14 in the vehicle; knowingly loaning a vehicle to someone who is drunk; and manslaughter by drunken driving.

In addition, repeat drunken drivers are required to use ignition interlock devices. The devices 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.