Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
In their penultimate floor session on Monday, April 21, the Senate unanimously passed SB0693 which would elevate the intentional infliction of injury to a child between the ages of nine and seventeen to a Class E felony.
Under current law, anyone found guilty of abusing children over the age of eight in Tennessee is only charged with a Class A misdemeanor and Tennessee ranked 15th out of all states according to the most recent State of the Child’s report, once recurring child abuse victims were factored in.
The bill garnered so much support that it was placed on the Senate Consent Calendar, meaning it was considered non-controversial and did not need further discussion by legislators.
The consent calendar is voted upon in its entirety with the individual bills contained therein unless a member files an objection to specific legislation so it can be pulled from the consent calendar and brought to the floor for further discussion and separate vote.
In this case, no member objected to the legislation so the consent calendar, and thereby SB0693, received a 30-0 vote in favor.
This is one of very few bills to receive strong bipartisan support this session as the House companion, HB0045, passed unanimously 94-0 last week, also on the chamber’s consent calendar. The legislation will now proceed to Governor Lee for his signature as the 2025 legislative session comes to its end.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
