Texas' new law, Bentley's Law, now requires drunk drivers who accidentally kill parents to pay for child support.
Texas Bentley's Law
Police cars sit on Main Street in Dallas following the sniper shooting during a protest on July 7, 2016. - A fourth police officer was killed and two suspected snipers were in custody after a protest late Thursday against police brutality in Dallas, authorities said.
The Bentley's Law was signed by Texas on Friday, Sept. 1. It was first adopted by Tennessee in July.
After that, the legislation was introduced in numerous U.S. states (24 states to be exact). Yahoo News reported that Bentley's Law was created by Cecilia Williams, a St. Francois County woman.
Before she created the law, Williams' son, Cordell, daughter-in-law, Lacy, and her 4-month-old grandson died in April 2021 because of a drunk driver in Missouri.
"I made a promise to my kids, and my grandson, and other people that I was going to do what I could to stop people from driving under the influence," said Williams via KHOU.
"I made a promise to my kids, and my grandson, and other people that I was going to do what I could to stop people from driving under the influence," she added.
The death of the two parents left their two sons, Bentley and Mason.
Now, Texas finally adopted Williams' law to punish drunk drivers who accidentally kill people with children.
Killer Drunk Drivers Now Required to Pay Child Support
Cars are lined up in traffic on Airline Drive after a food distribution site at Reyes Produce opened on April 13, 2020, in Houston, Texas. - While supplies last the Houston Independent School District will distribute food from 25 locations throughout the district.
Under the new Bentley's Law, drivers in Texas who accidentally kill parents will be required to pay child support to their orphaned victims.
The legislation states that the charges that DUI (driving under the influence) convicts will face will depend on the orphans' physical and emotional condition, education needs, and standard of living.
Killer drunk drivers will be ordered to pay for child support until their victims turn 18 years old or until they graduate from high school.
If the criminals are not able to pay for the child support, the law will allow them to settle it on the first anniversary of their release. But, this will only apply to those facing incarceration.
Many people support the arrival of the new Bentley's Law in Texas. These include the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
The organization said that it supports Bentley's Law, as well as other similar bills in the future.
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