What do child support and drunk driving have in common? 

It seems like a nonsensical and random question, but thanks to a new Texas law, they could go hand in hand.

 

canva
canva
loading...

What Is "Bentley's Law"?

Texas House Bill 393, also known more broadly as "Bentley's Law" is a new law that Texas drivers should be very aware of before considering driving intoxicated. It adds a new potential penalty to intoxication manslaughter in the form of de facto child support payments, should the drunk driver kill a child's parent or guardian.

Of course, the person who commits the intoxication manslaughter will likely go to prison as well and be unable to make the restitution payments. Therefore, the law states that the offender will begin payments no later than one year after release.

Bentley's Law Didn't Start In Texas

Sadly, this law is named for a victim of intoxication manslaughter, Bentley, who was four years old when both of his parents and a sibling were killed by a drunk driver in Missouri. His grandmother, Cecilia Williams, channeled her grief into a fight for change- a new deterrent for drunk driving and a new provision for children who find themselves without a parent or guardian because of it.

Other States With Bentley's Law

In addition to Texas, Bentley's Law has been passed in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Maine. Perhaps ironically, it did not pass is Missouri.

Could Bentley's Law Have Further Implications?

It does seem a little, shall we say, specific, that a drunk driver responsible for a parent's death be obligated to make restitution payments when parents of children get killed by others in different ways. What about people who murder a parent, or cause a different accident that leads to their deaths? What will this mean for civil suits of this type in general? Time will almost certainly tell.

New Texas Driving Laws You Need To Know By September 1st

Important!

Gallery Credit: Chrissy

Up to $7,500 Reward Offered for Information Leading to an Arrest of These 46 Texas Fugitives

The Texas Department of Public Safety is looking for 46 possibly armed and dangerous fugitives in December. Three of those fugitives have warrants in East Texas. 

Gallery Credit: Texas Department of Public Safety

Worst Places to Live in Texas for 2023

A lot of folks are moving to Texas, well here is where you DON'T want to move to. All statistics taken from Road Snacks.

Gallery Credit: Stryker