JFFERSON CITY — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is urging Missouri state legislators to pass Bentley’s Law (HB 1954) by Representative Mike Henderson before May 13 when this legislative session ends.
The bill was to be considered by the Missouri Senate Committee on Seniors, Families, Veterans and Military Affairs at 9 a.m. this morning.
Bentley’s Law, created by Missouri resident Cecilia Williams, will require an impaired driver who kills a parent or parents to pay child support to the surviving children until they are 18.
“Bentley’s Law was created out of a tragedy that has affected the lives of two beautiful boys, Bentley and Mason, and the lives of our family,” said Cecilia Williams, who will testify on Wednesday. “These crashes are totally preventable, and I will continue to fight for change for all who have suffered from impaired drivers. Many families like mine suffer such a loss every second of every day, and Bentley’s Law will bring change to hold the offender accountable for such horrific actions.”
For victims of impaired drivers, Bentley’s Law provides another avenue of restitution to help ensure justice.
“MADD supports Bentley’s Law and similar bills that hold drunk driving offenders accountable. Too often, offenders are able to move on with their lives even after killing someone, while victims and survivors are reminded every day of their loss,” said MADD National President Alex Otte. “The idea behind Bentley’s Law is to both provide a sense of justice to victims and survivors and make sure offenders are reminded of the heartbreak they caused by making the choice to drive impaired.”
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 400,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.