Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1394: Criminal Law – Homicide by Motor Vehicle or Vessel – Restitution to Child (Bentley’s Law)
Status: In committee, March 11, 2026
Requiring a person to pay certain restitution to a child if the person violated the prohibition against operating a motor vehicle or vessel while impaired or under the influence resulting in the death of the child's parent or guardian; and establishing requirements and procedures for the determination and payment of restitution under the Act.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Criminal Law - Homicide by Motor Vehicle or Vessel - Restitution to Child (Bentley's Law) FOR the purpose of requiring a person to pay certain restitution to a child if the person violated the prohibition against operating a motor vehicle or vessel while impaired or under the influence resulting in the death of the child's parent or guardian; establishing requirements and procedures for the determination and payment of restitution under this Act; and generally relating to restitution…
From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Criminal Law - Homicide by Motor Vehicle or Vessel - Restitution to Child (Bentley's Law) FOR the purpose of requiring a person to pay certain restitution to a child if the person violated the prohibition against operating a motor vehicle or vessel while impaired or under the influence resulting in the death of the child's parent or guardian; establishing requirements and procedures for the determination and payment of restitution under this Act; and generally relating to restitution. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Criminal Law Section 2-503(a), 2-504(a), 2-505(a), and 2-506(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Criminal Procedure Section 11-606.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Criminal Law 2-503. (a) A person may not cause the death of another as a result of the person's negligently driving, operating, or controlling a motor vehicle or vessel while: EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1394* HOUSE BILL 1394 (1) under the influence of alcohol; or (2) under the influence of alcohol per se. 2-504. (a) A person may not …