Texas law obliging some drunk drivers to pay child support goes into effect

In Texas, drunk drivers who accidentally kill a child’s parent or guardian in an accident are now required to pay child support, under a law that went into effect Friday.

Texas House Bill 393, also known as Bentley’s Law, was first filed on November 14 last year. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill of June 2nd.

“Any time a parent dies is tragic, but death by a drunk driver is particularly abhorrent.” The Republican governor wrote on X: formerly known as Twitter. “I was proud to enact HB 393 this year to require criminals to pay child support for their victims.”

By law, drunk thugs are only on the hook until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school.

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Vehicles drive on Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas. (Paul Harris/Getty Images/File)

“[T]”The court will determine an amount to be paid monthly to support the child until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later,” the text reads.

The amount of child support depends on several factors, including the child’s educational needs, medical needs, and any reasonable childcare costs. The standard of living to which the child is accustomed is also taken into account.

Anyone unable to make payments because of their incarceration may be eligible for a payment plan.

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“[T]”The defendant must begin making payments no later than the first anniversary of the defendant’s release from the facility,” the law states. “The defendant may enter into a payment plan to cover any arrears that exist at the time of the defendant’s release.”

“The defendant must pay all arrears, regardless of whether restitution payments should end during the defendant’s placement or incarceration in the correctional facility,” the law adds.

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