New Texas Law, “Bentley’s Law,” Will Require Drunk Drivers Who Kill Parents To Be Responsible For Child Support

A new Texas law, Bentley’s law, will make it mandatory for drunk drivers who kill parents to be responsible for child support.

The law was named after a drunken driving victim’s son, and individuals that are found guilty of intoxication manslaughter would be forced to pay restitution.

Funds would have to be paid starting a year after the defendant is freed from prison and would keep going until all of the victims’ children turn 18.

The bill is called Bentley’s law because of an incident that occurred on April 13, 2021 where Cecilia William’s daughter-in-law and grandson died after being hit by a drunken driver on Highway 30 in Jefferson County, Texas.

That’s when Cecilia Williams decided to work with lawmakers to come up with “Bentley’s Law.”

In July 2022, Tennessee was the first state to sign Bentley’s law into law, and measures like this have been introduced in several other states, as well.