Latest news with #Bentley'sLaw
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bonne Terre Grandmother has success changing laws in other states, but not her own
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Cecilia Williams has been pushing for law changes since experiencing an unthinkable tragedy in 2021. Her son, daughter-in-law, and one of her grandchildren were killed by a drunk driver. 'Missouri has an extremely huge problem with impaired driving,' she said. Williams said what's become 'Bentley's Law' has passed in other states but failed to pass again in Missouri. The state's legislative session ended on Thursday. The law would require impaired offenders who take the lives of parents to pay child support to caregivers left to care for surviving children. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The law is named after one of the surviving children Williams is caring for. 'Financially, a lot of people can't afford it, but with Bentley's law, it gives them the extra support that is needed,' Williams said. She attended a banquet in St. Charles on Thursday night, hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The awards ceremony honored 133 members of law enforcement for their dedication to impaired driving enforcement. Jerod Breit, MADD's regional executive director, credits Williams' determination for other states passing legislation she's fighting for. 'She's been triumphant across the country and even outside the United States when it comes to Benley's Law,' he said. Williams said that states that have passed the law include Tennessee, Kentucky, Maine, Texas, Utah, South Dakota and Montana. She said the law has even passed in the Cayman Islands and South Korea. 'There's no reason why Missouri cannot pass this important piece of legislation to help families who really need it,' she said. First responders discover body following house fire Breit said MADD and the agency's supporters pushed for several measures aimed at reducing impaired driving in Missouri, but the effort failed despite overwhelming support from lawmakers and near unanimous support in the House, where the measure easily passed. 'Unfortunately, it didn't make it through in the Senate,' Breit said. Williams blamed political bickering for the measure failing to pass before the session ended. She and Breit vow to push again for a change in Missouri's law when the next legislative session starts in January. State Senator Mike Henderson sponsored SB 235 and supported the effort to pass the legislation. He said, 'I am very disappointed. I do not believe it had anything to do with Benley's Law or actually the bill itself. We just ran out of time.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
Texas mother helps launch drunk driving campaign in honor of son's death
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Drunk drivers in Texas will now have to pay child support if they kill a parent or guardian, according to a recently new law passed by Gov. Abbott in September 2023. House Bill 393, Known as 'Bentley's Law' says anyone convicted of intoxication manslaughter must pay restitution. Payments must be made until the child reaches the age of 18 and or graduates from high school, whichever is considered later by the state of Texas. ABC Big 2's Chris Talley spoke with Pamela Edwards, a Brazos Valley mother who lost her 25-year-old son, Dillion Davis on August 9, 2014, in a single car crash in Crawford, Texas. Since 2020, Edwards has made it her mission to keep Dillion's name alive by speaking about by spreading awareness about the dangers of Drinking and Driving. She uses her platform with The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to help educate and prevent tragic stories like this from happening to other families. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
