Cracking down on Porch Pirates Criminals who steal packages left in mailboxes or on doorsteps could face stiffer jail time under a new law passed this session. Victim Advocates / Confidentiality Another law passed recently protects confidentiality of victim advocates. granting limited employer liability to businesses which in good faith hire a parolee convicted of a non-violent criminal offense. It creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for communicating a threat to commit an act of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity and a Class B misdemeanor if a person with knowledge fails to report it. It establishes residency opportunities focusing on family practice, general pediatrics, internal medicine and psychiatry to provide medical and behavioral health services in Tennessees underserved and distressed rural counties. Increasing the penalty for theft of a firearm to a Class E felony; Providing a sentencing enhancement for theft of a firearm in a car; Increasing the minimum sentence for theft of a firearm from 30 days to 180 days; and. This provides members of the National Guard returning from State Active Duty the same right to reemployment afforded to servicemembers called to federal active service, protecting them from discrimination in the workplace based on their military service. This will fund seven pilot programs to create large-scale programs benefitting TANF recipients. This suit, while dealing with new state law, seems unlikely to trigger the new 3-judge panel system. The full text of the measure is available for Initiative 2020-056 and Initiative 2020-092.. Farmers / Tractor Lemon Law Another measure to help farmers passed during the 2021 legislative session enacts a Tractor Lemon Law. 348. . Budget The no-debt budget, which will fund state government for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, continues lawmakers efforts to maintain fiscal discipline, while prioritizing education, health care, and job development. Under the new law, offenders are subject to a Class A misdemeanor unless it is a child 8 years old or under, which would be a Class D felony. It defines registry as a record of possession or ownership by non-governmental individuals or entities and provides that violation of this measure would result in a Class E felony and a loss of funding from the state for the following fiscal year and any subsequent years that the violation occurs. (Senate Bill 736 / Johnson, Akbari, Campbell, Walley, Watson, Yarbro / Public Chapter 70 Effective July 1, 2021). Natalie Allison contributed. Expunction for Employment The General Assembly acted this year to help remove barriers for employment and education for Tennesseans with nonviolent or low-level assault offenses on their criminal record. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 offered federal funding to states that implemented so-called truth in sentencing laws, which limited their use of early release. Under Alternative 1, any inmate whose sentence imposed was not a whole number of years would earn GCT credit at a rate of less than 54 days per year. This has fueled a black market in stolen catalytic converters, which can be sawed off the underside of a car in less than a minute. Tax Cut / Sales Tax Holiday A separate bill, which implements the budget, was approved cutting $50 million in taxes by providing an additional sales tax holiday on the sale of food and food ingredients from July 30, 2021 August 4, 2021. July 2, 2021. Other changes to present law under the Reentry Success Act of 2021 include clarification that victims may submit videos for their victim impact statements, and waiving certain application costs for restricted drivers licenses. Additionally, parole violations that arent felonies or Class A misdemeanors would result in 15 days imprisonment for the first violation, 30 days for the second, 90 days for the third, and either one year or the remainder of the prisoners sentence for the fourth whichever is the shorter of the two. The order prohibits the defendant and their counsel from publishing the information or statements made before or during the trial. The new law creates standards and metrics for student athlete safety in a program that has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive health and safety programs in the United States for K-12 athletics. They say that earned time credits, which allow for early release for low-level offenders, need to be utilized more in light of the ongoing pandemic and high numbers of Covid-19 deaths in federal prisons. (Senate Bill 628 / Bell, Bowling, White, Rose / Public Chapter 525 Effective July 1, 2021). (Senate Bill 867 / Lundberg, Bowling, Haile, Massey, Rose / Public Chapter 568 Effective July 1, 2021). Both programs will be conducted in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). It provides a $10,000 reward to the individual providing the information if the law enforcement officer is injured, and a $20,000 reward if the officer is killed. Increasing the sentences for unlawful possession of a firearm by violent felons and felony drug offenders, possession of a handgun by a felon, and unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile or allowing a juvenile to possess a handgun. Full text. Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Economic and Community Development. However, the legislation stipulates that the second or subsequent offense of mail theft must at least be charged as a Class E felony. The legislation also increases the TANF allotment. (Senate Bill 831 / Niceley, Bowling, Crowe, Gardenhire, Haile, Hensley, Jackson, Lundberg, Massey, Pody, Powers, Reeves, Rose, Southerland, Stevens, Walley, Yager / Public Chapter 411 Effective July 1, 2021). (Senate Bill 327 / Lundberg / Public Chapter 107 Effective July 1, 2021). Juvenile Justice System Improvements State lawmakers approved legislation to improve Tennessees juvenile justice system by better assessing where improvements and resources should be focused. Human Trafficking / Evidence / Social Media Platforms Legislation was passed during the 2021 session to help prosecute crimes involving human trafficking in cases where a social media platform was used. The new law adds a victim is incapable of defense if sexual contact occurs during the course of a consultation, examination, treatment, therapy or other professional service that are provided by a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, social worker, nurse, chemical dependency counselor or a member of the clergy. (Senate Bill 725 / Johnson, Bailey, Stevens / Public Chapter 345 Rulemaking is effective May 6, 2021. Lamberths proposal hearkens back to a concept popularized in the 1990s tough-on-crime era, called truth in sentencing. The idea is that the sentence someone receives will reflect the actual amount of time theyll spend behind bars. Today rhodium has a value of $25,850 per ounce as compared to gold which is valued at $1,700 per ounce. 2010 Tennessee Code Title 41 - Correctional Institutions And Inmates Chapter 21 - Inmates . Truth in Sentencing The 112th General Assembly passed major Truth in Sentencing legislation strengthening protections for victims and their families. A. They are owned by insurance companies and often own pharmacies as well. Incarceration rates in the U.S. were already on the rise at that point. The legislation aims to encourage gun owners to create a safer environment for children and hopefully prevent the heartbreaking tragedies that might occur if a firearm is stored improperly. Eligible inmates are those who are serving a nonviolent felony offense or a sentence for a Class E or Class D felony offense. The pilot programs established will be subject to third party, academic review to determine their effectiveness. The STRONG Act has boosted recruitment of servicemembers in the National Guard since its enactment in 2017. During the final House floor vote, he explained that 95 percent of inmates will reenter society at some point, and that the Reentry Success Act of 2021would help more inmates have a reentry plan. But those changes could take two drastically different directions. MORE: After passing prison reform, Gov. Prisons / Cell Phones Cell phones in Tennessee prisons have long been an ongoing security and public safety concern, with dangerous inmates using them to direct criminal activity despite the fact that they are confined within penitentiary facilities. 04/13/2021: Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/13/2021: 04/07/2021: . A total of five amendments were introduced on the bill: the first was withdrawn, the second and third were adopted, and the fourth and fifth were tabled. (Senate Bill 1035 / Bell, Bowling, White, Yager, Gilmore, Jackson, Lundberg, Massey, Robinson, Rose, Yarbro, Akbari, Campbell / Public Chapter 362 Effective May 11, 2021 for sections 6 and 10, the remainder are effective July 1, 2021). Over the past half . The remainder is effective July 1, 2021) Curbing Underage Drinking A new law prohibiting property owners from knowingly distributing alcohol to an underage adult has been adopted to help curb underage drinking. More than 80% of inmates serving mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses . PBMs / Prescription Drugs The Patient Access Choice and Transparency Act was passed during the 2021 legislative session prioritizing patient-centered care by making certain reforms to how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) operate in Tennessee. S15A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo. Palladium has a value of $2,648 per ounce, while platinum is valued at $1,200 per ounce. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration. Tennessee SB966 2021-2022 This bill increases from 15 percent to 35 percent the amount by which sentence reduction credits may reduce a persons sentence for the offenses of first degree murder murder in the second degree especially aggravated kidnapping aggravated kidnapping especially aggravated robbery aggravated rape rape aggravated sexual battery rape of a child aggravated arson aggravated . Hughes' attorney Daniel Horwitz argues the law requires the board to review cases as soon as a defendant becomes eligible, or at a hearing scheduled meaningfully soon after that date. Constitutional Challenges / State Statutes The General Assembly has passed a law which creates a mechanism for a three-judge panel to hear a challenge regarding the constitutionality of a state statute, an executive order, or an administrative rule or regulation. Enhanced penalties for aggravated riots A new law passed this year adds to the offense of aggravated rioting to include those who are compensated to participate in a riot or travel from outside the state to participate. At least two more inmate deaths linked to COVID-19 were reported this month, . The second and third amendments made the Reentry Success Act of 2021. It also gives judges the discretion to provide treatment for individuals who need it when the facts of their case indicate that a Recovery Court is the best correction option available. (Senate Bill 1259 / Reeves, Gilmore / Public Chapter 272 Effective July 1, 2021). Disabled Veterans / State Employee / Sick Leave A new law in Tennessee allows a state employee, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability of 30% or more, to receive 36 hours of sick leave each year to attend appointments related to that disability. (Senate Bill 447 / Bell, Jackson, Rose, Yager / Public Chapter 252 Effective July 1, 2021). Work will continue throughout the day and evening until the repairs are complete. Curbing Underage Drinking A new law prohibiting property owners from knowingly distributing alcohol to an underage adult has been adopted to help curb underage drinking. (Senate Bill 281 / Rose, Lundberg, Bowling, Haile / Public Chapter 436 Effective July 1, 2021 and applies to acts committed on or after that date). Reemployment protections to Tennessee National Guard Legislation protecting civilian reemployment rights for Tennessee National Guard members upon completion of service in a State Active Duty was approved during the 2021 session. (Senate Bill 188 / Bowling, Gilmore / Public Chapter 115 Effective July 1, 2021). Any individual who feels that an entity has violated the provisions of this law has standing to bring forth a civil suit against the entity. Abortion / Unborn Child Dignity Act The Unborn Child Dignity Act advocating for the dignity of the unborn by requiring proper burial or cremation for a surgically aborted child was approved this year. This encourages TANF recipients to attain degrees which will assist them in bridging the gap to self-sufficiency. The new law does not apply to single-use public restrooms. Drag racing The Senate and House of Representatives approved legislation to discourage drag racing, which is becoming an increasing public safety issue on Tennessee roadways. This is in addition to Tennessees annual sales tax holiday which allows consumers to purchase clothing, school supplies and computers tax-free. When Tennessee's abortion ban was originally introduced, lawmakers said the legislation included an exception for the life of the pregnant person. BILL NUMBER: S15A SPONSOR: HOYLMAN TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the executive law, in relation to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated persons aged fifty-five or older SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 of the bill adds new subdivisions 18 and 19 to section 259-c of the Executive Law ("State board of parole . December 13th 2018, 9:04 PM PST. It authorizes victims to use force that could result in serious bodily injury or death, even if the victims are engaged in illegal activity or in a location they are not legally allowed to be, if they are in the situation as a result of their status as a human trafficking victim. Williamson County Parents Form Facebook Group to Fight School Systems Alleged Critical Race Theory Curriculum, Florida Legislature Hearing Bills to Curb Foreign Influence. But Hughes, who could become eligible as soon as Septemberbased on his sentence and credits earned while incarcerated, isn't scheduled for a parole hearing until July 2022. Beyond the increase in force at the moment of impact in a collision, traveling at excessive speed imposes many obstacles to the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Since then, Tennessees prison population has continued to climb. It helps ensure patients can use the pharmacies they choose and trust rather than being forced by their insurance companies to use specialty pharmacies that often dont meet patients needs. She wants the person who shot her son to have the opportunity to go home and mentor others. The . Protects rural hospitals that utilize 340B programs across the state to provide lifesaving medication to some of our states most marginalized citizens; Prohibits PBMs from steering patients away from their community pharmacies to PBM-owned pharmacies which is particularly important to patients with chronic, complex and rare diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, cancer, and ALS; Ensures that pharmacies are at least paid their acquisition cost for medications and instructs PBMs to establish a process for pharmacies to appeal their reimbursements from PBMs if it is below the cost; Provides greater transparency to employers who want to gain a better understanding of how their pharmacy benefit expenses are being impacted by spread pricing and rebate retention which ultimately impacts their premiums; and. Legislation passed this year seeks to protect the identifying information of informants to help remedy this issue. The court recognized that states have a legitimate interest in the proper disposition of human fetal remains and that it does not interfere with an abortion choice. Some want to make it easier for people to get out of prison. Lee announces 2023 priorities in State of the State Address, Senate prioritizes legislation to protect children, New legislation aims to make significant improvements to juvenile justice system, on New Tennessee Laws to be Enacted July 1, 2021. waiving the restricted driver license fee, which research has shown is a barrier to successful reentry; removing the Parole Boards ability to deny parole to a person who has not attempted to improve their education or vocational skills due to long wait lists for these programs, provided they have reasonable access to them; requiring the Department of Correction to pay an accreditation stipend to eligible counties to encourage implementation of evidenced-based reentry programs in local jails; authorizing and encouraging community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) to partner with local government to provide education workforce development programs for people held in local correction facilities; and. Some advocates for reform want people to be eligible after serving less time, like Rafiah McCormick, whose son was killed in 2020. Hunting and Fishing Licenses State lawmakers passed legislation benefitting those who purchase hunting and fishing licenses in Tennessee. This legislation comes after the horrific deaths of two Roane County children. The new law provides legislators, judges, law enforcement officials and other stakeholders with more accurate information by modernizing and standardizing information collected by juvenile courts across the state. State lawmakers approved legislation in 2021 to remove barriers to prosecute aggravated animal cruelty cases in Tennessee. As of June 2021, the FDC reports 66 percent of elderly prisoners are in for violent crimes. Albany, NY. According to Tennessee law, they have to spend more than half a century behind bars before they can even be eligible for release. Theater of popular music. Graduate Medical Education A new law designed to increase the number of primary care physicians in Tennessees rural communities was approved by the General Assembly before adjourning the 2021 legislative session. Set people up to succeed upon release (2 recommendations) Eliminate relics of the harmful and racist "war on drugs" (2 recommendations) In this year's guide to winnable criminal justice reforms, we've added a reference to caregiver and proximity laws and a new section Set people up to succeed upon release. We commend Governor Lee for his leadership on seeking a values-based solution to criminal justice reform in Tennessee, and are thankful for the work of the Tennessee Criminal Justice Investment Task Force, the legislature, andpastors and faith leaderswho spent years advancing this package., Kate Trammell, also with Prison Fellowship, said, Faced witha growing prison population and high recidivism rate, Governor Lee and theTennesseelegislaturehave dedicated themselves to advancing legislation that creates a more restorative criminal justice system. (Senate Bill 1173 / Crowe / Public Chapter 368 Effective July 1, 2021). Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the judge presiding over this case. At the center of this debate is early release. The Supreme Court will select two trial court judges of courts of record to sit with the judge to whom the civil action was originally assigned as the three-judge panel to hear and decide the civil action. 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