SB167INTRODUCED Page 0 SB167 2LPWIIK-1 By Senator Orr RFD: Judiciary First Read: 13-Feb-25 1 2 3 4 5 2LPWIIK-1 02/11/2025 THR (L)THR 2025-747 Page 1 First Read: 13-Feb-25 SYNOPSIS: Existing law provides for criminal and civil penalties for the offense of driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. This bill would require an individual who is convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to pay child support for a child of a victim of the offense if the offense leads to the death of a parent or guardian of the child. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT Relating to child support; to require an individual convicted of driving while under the influence to pay child support in certain circumstances. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. (a) In addition to the penalties prescribed for driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance under Section 32-5A-191, Code of Alabama 1975, and in addition to any restitution required pursuant to Article 4A of Chapter 18 of Title 15, Code of Alabama 1975, if 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SB167 INTRODUCED Page 2 Article 4A of Chapter 18 of Title 15, Code of Alabama 1975, if an individual is convicted pursuant to Section 32-5A-191, Code of Alabama 1975, and the offense leading to the conviction causes the death of a child's parent or guardian, that individual shall be ordered to pay child support for the child pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 30, Code of Alabama 1975, until the child reaches 19 years of age. (b) Child support ordered pursuant to subsection (a) may be calculated according to the child support guidelines established by Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration based upon the circumstances during the time period for which support is ordered, or may otherwise be ordered by the court in an amount determined by the court based on the following factors: (1) The financial needs and resources of the child. (2) The financial needs and resources of the surviving parent or, if no other parent is alive or capable of caring for the child, the guardian of the child, including the State of Alabama if the state or a department or agency thereof is the guardian. (3) The standard of living the child would have enjoyed. (4) The physical and emotional condition of the child and the child's educational needs. (5) The child's physical and legal custody arrangements. (6) The reasonable work-related child care expenses of the surviving parent or guardian. (c) Child support ordered pursuant to this section 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 SB167 INTRODUCED Page 3 (c) Child support ordered pursuant to this section shall accrue from the date of the death of the child's parent or guardian. (d) Any individual against whom an order to pay child support pursuant to this section is entered and shall be subject to an income withholding order as set forth in Title 30, Chapter 3, Article 3, Code of Alabama 1975. (e) If an individual ordered to pay child support pursuant to this section is incarcerated and unable to pay the ordered support, the individual shall have up to one year after release from incarceration to begin payment, including any arrearage. If any obligation ordered pursuant to this section is to terminate due to the age of the child, but the support obligation is not paid in full, payments shall continue until the entire arrearage is paid. Section 2. This act shall become effective on October 1, 2025. 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72