Rep. Clampitt files bill in North Carolina House mandating child support for victims’ children

A new bill filed by State Rep. Mike Clampitt in the North Carolina House seeks to ensure child support payments for minors who lost a parent due to felony death by vehicle convictions, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 400 on March 13 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Bentley’s Law.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, known as “Bentley’s Law,” mandates that if a defendant is convicted of a felony death by vehicle offense, and the deceased was a parent of a minor child, the court must order the defendant to pay child support to the victim’s children. Payments are required until the child turns 18 and has graduated from high school. The amount of child support will be determined based on several factors, including the child’s financial needs, the resources of the surviving parent or guardian, and the standard of living to which the child is accustomed. Payments are to be made to the court clerk for distribution to the child’s guardian or parent. If the defendant is incarcerated, they have up to one year after release to begin payment to address any arrears. The surviving parent or guardian can enforce the restitution order as a civil judgment, and any civil action damages received will offset the restitution amount. The law takes effect Dec. 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Grant L. Campbell, MD proposed the most bills (25) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Clampitt graduated from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in 1976 with an AA.

Clampitt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 119th House district, replacing previous state representative Joe Sam Queen.