A new legislative proposal aims to provide financial support for children who lose a parent to criminal vehicular homicide. During a recent Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Representative Austin Schauer introduced House Bill 1558, which seeks to allow judges to mandate restitution payments to minor children when a parent is killed in such tragic incidents.

Schauer, representing District 13 in West Fargo, shared a personal story to highlight the urgency of the bill. He recounted the heartbreaking case of Aaron and Allison Deutscher, who, along with their unborn child, were killed by a drunk driver in 2012. This incident is part of a troubling trend in North Dakota, where over the past five years, 172 fatal crashes have resulted in 191 deaths, with alcohol playing a role in 35 percent of these fatalities.

While acknowledging that the bill won't solve the broader issue of drunk driving, Schauer emphasized its importance in providing support to grieving families. The amended version of HB 1558, developed through collaboration with legal experts and state officials, allows courts to order restitution payments as part of the sentencing for those convicted of criminal vehicular homicide.

The proposed legislation is designed to ensure that children affected by such tragedies receive the financial assistance they need during a difficult time. As the bill moves forward, it represents a significant step toward addressing the needs of vulnerable families in North Dakota.