Texas’s New law Mandates that Drunk Drivers who Murder a Child’s Parent or Guardian must Pay Child Support Until the Youngster Turns 18 Years Old.

According to legislation that took effect on Friday, a new Texas law mandates that convicted drunk drivers pay child support if they murder a kid’s parent or guardian.

Bentley’s Law, also known as Texas House Bill 393, was introduced on November 14 of last year. On June 2, the law was approved by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Those found guilty of intoxication manslaughter are required by law to make restitution. The proposal states that the offender will be required to make those payments until the child becomes 18 or until the child graduates from high school, “whichever comes later.”

Abbott posted on X, now known as Twitter, “Any time a parent passes is tragic, but a death at the hands of a drunk driver is especially heinous.” I was pleased to enact HB 393 this year, which requires criminals to provide child support for the victims’ children.

The surviving parent or guardian’s or the child’s financial needs, as well as the defendant’s financial resources, will all be taken into consideration by the court when determining the monthly payment.

Regardless of whether the restitution payments were set to stop while the defendant was confined or imprisoned in the correctional facility, the law provides that the offender is required to pay any arrearages.

The law states that anyone who is incarcerated and unable to pay their debts may be qualified for a payment plan as soon as “no later than the first anniversary of the date” of their release.

According to state law, intoxication manslaughter occurs when someone operates “a motor vehicle in a public place, operates an aircraft, a watercraft, or an amusement ride, or assembles a mobile amusement ride; and is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death of another by accident or mistake.”