Black Moves Bills to Get Tough on Sexual Predators

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen. Diane Black (R-Gallatin) is advancing legislation that will crack down on sexual predators in Tennessee.  Five bills cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday.

The bills will address a variety of issues to strengthen Tennessee’s laws dealing with convicted sexual offenders.  The bills will increase penalties, give law enforcement the tools they need to track offenders, and make sure that repeat offenders stay in prison.

“It is time for us to make Tennessee a safe haven for our children and not a welcome place for sexual predators,” said Black.  “This is the first step in getting these laws on the books.”

Senate Bills 230, 1173, 1174, 1176, 1177 all passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 27th.  Another bill, Senate Bill 326, won approval in the Judiciary Committee last week. The bill, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), proposes to increase the penalty for a person convicted of child rape from 15-60 years to 25-life in prison.

More information about the legislation can be found at www.legislature.state.tn.us.

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