Texas drunk drivers will now have to pay child support if they kill a parent, guardian

[dalton99a]

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/02/us/texas-drunk-driver-child-support-law/index.html

Texas drunk drivers will now have to pay child support if they kill a parent, guardian
By Michelle Watson, CNN
Published 7:48 AM EDT, Sat September 2, 2023

CNN — A new law in Texas requires convicted drunk drivers to pay child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian, according to House Bill 393.

The law, which went into effect Friday, says those convicted of intoxication manslaughter must pay restitution. The offender will be expected to make those payments until the child is 18 or until the child graduates from high school, “whichever is later,” the legislation says.

Intoxication manslaughter is defined by state law as a person operating “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.”

If someone is unable to pay the restitution because they’re incarcerated, they’re expected to make payments no “later than the first anniversary of the date,” of their release, the law says.

[Beaverhausen]

1. Wouldn't the drunk driver be in prison?

How are they going to make money to make payments? I mean the idea isn’t bad but ???

[Igel]

2. That's covered in the text of the law.

Per the OP.

I'd have had it read "until age 22 if in college or a training program, or 18 if not admitted to a training program or college or university." Or something along those lines.

[Johnny2X2X]

4. That's the children

Not the drunk driver.

I think the idea is that when they get out of prison they start paying.

[MichMan]

5. It's right in the OP

If someone is unable to pay the restitution because they’re incarcerated, they’re expected to make payments no “later than the first anniversary of the date,” of their release, the law says.

[leftstreet]

6. They'll accumulate back support liability

I believe this is so the state can issue support payments, then collect later

[MichMan]

3. Good !

[Initech]

7. I'm actually OK with this.

I honestly can't fathom that in the day and age of ride sharing that people would drink too much and get behind the wheel, but it still happens. Me personally, if I'm going out drinking, someone else is doing the driving. I'll happily pay the Uber surcharges. In the end, it's much cheaper than a DUI, or worse.

[RandySF]

8. Good idea.

[gratuitous]

9. I wonder if this new law will apply to Republican public officials?

They're very important, you know.

[raccoon]

12. Undoubtedly there is an exception for them.

[applegrove]

10. And if assault rifles kill Uvaldy school children the people fighting

to keep them legal face nothing? I mean I'm all for DUI penalties but Texas GOP is acting like they don't legislate to unmitigate deaths to the public and they do.

I mean:

Texas AG appeals judge’s order that allows women with complicated pregnancies to get abortions
State District Court Judge Jessica Mangrum on Friday issued a temporary exemption to Texas’ abortion ban. Hours later, the attorney general’s office filed an appeal, which blocked the order.

BY WILLIAM MELHADO
AUG. 4, 2023
UPDATED: AUG. 5, 2023

https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/04/texas-abortion-ban-lawsuit/

"SNIP..........

A Texas judge on Friday issued a temporary exemption to the state’s abortion ban that would allow women with complicated pregnancies to obtain the procedure and keep doctors free from prosecution if they determined the fetus would not survive after birth.

But hours later, the attorney general’s office filed an appeal with the Texas Supreme Court, blocking the judge’s order from taking effect.

State District Court Judge Jessica Mangrum of Austin wrote that the attorney general cannot prosecute doctors who, in their “good faith judgment,” terminate a complicated pregnancy. Mangrum outlined those conditions as a pregnancy that presents a risk of infection; a fetal condition in which the fetus will not survive after birth; or when the pregnant person has a condition that requires regular, invasive treatment.

Last month, the court heard from three women who testified against Texas’ abortion ban, describing how delayed medical care impacted their pregnancies. The women are suing the state over the law, seeking to clarify when a medical emergency justifies an abortion. Currently, the law allows termination of a pregnancy if the mother’s life is in danger.

........SNIP"

A need death is a death.

[raccoon]

11. isn't that what Social Security is for? Unless the deceased parent never paid into it.

[Buckeyeblue]

13. I would take it further and say cause the death or disability of a parent

Severe disability of a parent can cause just as much or even more economic stress on the family.

[Raine]

14. Good! 👍 nt