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When a child is left without parents
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after they were killed by an impaired
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driver, who will bear the financial
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responsibilities for that child in life?
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Now, under a new law, that burden could
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fall directly on the person who decided
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to drink and drive. Drunk drivers
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convicted of reckless vehicular homicide
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would have to help financially support
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children whose parents or guardians they
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killed under a bill advanced by the New
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Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee on
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October 15th. The committee voted
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unanimously to release an amended
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version of Senate Bill 478, which would
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require restitution reflecting the
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financial contributions a child lost
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when a parent or guardian died. Payments
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would go to the deceased victim's
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spouse, nearest surviving relative, or
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guardian with legal custody of the
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child. A sentencing judge would
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determine how much the defendant owes
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and how long payments must continue.
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That bill was passed unanimously in
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committee. It was sponsored by New
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Jersey State Senator Owen Henry, who
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represents portions of Ocean, Monmouth,
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and Middlesex counties.
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