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Senate unanimously passes 'Bentley and Mason' bill to expand child-maintenance orders for certain intoxication convictions
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Summary
The Missouri Senate gave final passage to a bill dubbed "Bentley and Mason's law," extending child-maintenance orders for some people convicted of driving while intoxicated; the measure passed 29-0 on third reading.
The Missouri Senate on third reading passed Senate substitute for Senate Bill 11 35, known in the chamber as "Bentley and Mason's law," by a constitutional majority after the sponsor described it as a measure to hold adults accountable if a drunk or otherwise intoxicated driver harms a child.
The senator from Saint Francis, who moved final passage, said the bill would make parents or guardians share responsibility when a driver under the influence injures or kills a child. "This is a bill dealing with Bentley and Mason's law," the senator said, adding that the two boys and their grandmother were present in the gallery.
Madam Secretary read the bill title as an act relating to child maintenance orders for certain persons convicted of driving while intoxicated. The roll call recorded 29 ayes, 0 nays; the bill was declared passed and the clerk noted that titling and perfecting motions were carried.
The measure was taken up and read a third time on the Senate floor; the sponsor answered questions briefly and indicated stakeholders had worked on the language. There was no recorded opposition on final passage.
The Senate proceeded to other business after the vote; the clerk recorded the result and the bill will move on for any required enrollment or transmission steps.