An Alabama Senate committee is considering legislation that would require individuals to support the child of another family if they are convicted of a driving under the influence offense that resulted in a parent’s death.
The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed action last week on Senate Bill 167, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would require such support to be paid until the child turns 19.
“The premise is to make sure we take care of the minor children that are left behind if the breadwinner is killed,” Orr said.
He told the committee that the idea from the bill originated from Texas. Orr said he thought to himself, “Well, if it will prevent DUIs (driving under the influence), to know how serious we are about it.”
The penalty would be in addition to other restitution that an individual who is convicted of the crime would owe.