Representative David Hawk, who hails from Greenville and is a member of the Republican party, has proposed the idea of adding a September session to the calendar of the General Assembly. This session would be a permanent fixture and would serve as an opportunity for lawmakers to address important issues that may not have been covered in the previous sessions.
From July 1st, Tennessee will see the implementation of over 100 new laws. Although the state’s lawmakers have passed over 500 new laws, some of them will be enforced throughout the year.
The state’s legal landscape is in for some significant changes with the introduction of 10 new laws. Let’s take a closer look at what these laws entail.
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- Firearms: Juvenile offenders of minors cannot buy or own firearms until age 25.
- Mental Incompetence: Prevents those deemed mentally incompetent from purchasing firearms after being found so by a court. Known as Jillian’s Law, named after Jillian Ludwig.
- Death Penalty: Individuals convicted of child rape face the death penalty.
- Immigration Verification: Law enforcement must contact federal immigration officials to verify the driver’s immigration status during traffic stops under certain circumstances.
- DUI Penalties: Minimum jail time for drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.15% increased from 2 to 7 days.
- ELVIS Act: Protects artists from exploitation by artificial intelligence, enforceable as a Class A misdemeanor.
- School Safety: Threats of mass violence at schools upgraded to a Class E felony.
- Abortion Trafficking: Adults transporting minors for abortions face Class A misdemeanor charges.
- Street Drag Racing: Elevated to a Class E felony, punishable with up to six years in prison.
- Age Appropriate Materials: School libraries must adjust collections to suit students’ age and educational needs.
Tennessee’s legal landscape has undergone significant changes, affecting various areas such as firearms, school and public safety, and immigration.