SB 235 Missouri Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Creates "Bentley's Law" relating to child maintenance orders for certain persons convicted of the offense of driving while intoxicated

SB 235, titled "Bentley's Law," requires courts to issue or enforce child maintenance orders for individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) who have existing child support obligations. The bill directly affects DWI offenders with children, mandating that courts prioritize establishing or securing child support payments as part of their sentencing. Key provisions ensure that child maintenance is addressed in DWI cases where the offender has dependent children, linking criminal penalties to financial responsibilities for their children. This policy change shifts focus to ensuring consistent child support enforcement for this specific group of offenders.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 1, 2024 Last action Mar 12, 2025
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Voted Do Pass S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Hearing Conducted S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
upper
Dec 1, 2024
Introduced
Prefiled
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mike Henderson
Mike Henderson
RRepublican
MO
3