A new Tennessee law upping the punishment for motorists who kill another person while driving under the influence has taken effect.

HB 1384, also known as “Ethan’s, Hailey’s, and Bentley’s Law,” took effect Friday.

That law “requires a sentencing court to order a defendant who has been convicted of vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide due to intoxication and in which the victim of the offense was the parent of a minor child to pay restitution in the form of child maintenance to each of the victim’s children until each child reaches 18 years of age and has graduated from high school.”

The bill is named after children whose parents were killed by drunk drivers.

State Representative Mark Hall (R-Cleveland) introduced the bill in January. It was signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee (R) on May 25.

According to a Tennessee law firm, the prison sentence for residents of the state found guilty of vehicular homicide is eight to 30 years. For aggravated vehicular homicide, sentencing guidelines mandate 15 to 60 years.

Vehicular homicide is also now subject to Tennessee “Truth in Sentencing” law, which took effect Friday.

It is one of eight violent crimes for which offenders in the state will now have to serve the entirety of their prison sentences.

That bill, SB 2284, which passed into law without Lee’s signature, is meant to be a deterrent for violent crime.

“It ensures criminals convicted of attempted first-degree murder, second-degree murder, vehicular homicide, [aggravated vehicular homicide], especially aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated robbery, carjacking, and especially aggravated burglary will serve 100% of their sentence undiminished by any sentence reduction credits earned,” according to the State Senate.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally championed that bill with legislators in the State Senate.

“Truth in Sentencing is vital legislation that protects victims and provides true accountability for those who commit crimes,” McNally said, as reported by The Tennessee Star. “The clarity Truth in Sentencing provides will serve as a critical deterrent against violent offenders. The costs associated with the law are well worth the peace of mind offered to victims and the overall boost to public safety. Tennesseans across the political spectrum want law and order in Tennessee. This legislation will go a long way toward providing it.”

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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Car Accident – Drunk Driver” by Tony Webster. CC BY 2.0.