A bill requiring a person found guilty in fatal DUI cases to pay restitution to the surviving children of the victims until they reach 18 was approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Supporting the bill named in memory of her late husband, Shelby Strong says losing her husband Cody has affected her family.
“A lady ran my daddy over. Right mama? He sees pictures of his dad in his room and knows someone took him from us because she chose to drink and drive.”
Lafayette Representative Jonathan Godeau bill known as Cody’s law is modeled after Bentley’s law which was proposed by a mother in Missouri who lost her son, daughter-in-law, and four-month-old grandson to a drunk driver. Opponent of the bill, Sarah Whittington of the Justice and Accountability Center of LA believes this is a judicial matter not a legislative matter.
“It is my belief that yes these individuals have suffered a horrible loss. There is financial damage done to the family. The civil system exists and they would be able to get punitive damages going above and beyond what this restitution would allow.”
Tennessee became the first state to enact a similar bill into law with Ethan Haley and Bentley law last year. If the offender is incarcerated, the bill would allow payments to begin one year after their release. Strong says there needs to be something in place to compensate families.
“I was a fifth-grade science teacher making only $19,000 a year. Suddenly I had to make my small teaching salary enough to take care of two small children and myself.”
If the child is 18 and enrolled in school, restitution would continue until a diploma is received or until the age of 21. The bill advances to the House floor.
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