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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Legislation that would increase penalties for individuals who commit child abuse was passed unanimously by the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee this week.
House Bill 0045 (HB0045), sponsored by State Representative Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin-District 63), would increase what is currently a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony for “knowingly treating a child between the ages of nine and 17 in such a manner as to inflict injury.”
Current state law only considers such a crime a felony if the child is 8 years of age or younger.
With no discussion on the bill, a vote was taken and the legislation passed unanimously.
The Tennessee Conservative recently interviewed HB0045 sponsor Jake McCalmon about the bill. Watch the interview HERE.
The companion Senate Bill 0693 (SB0693), sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 27), also passed unanimously in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.
It has been referred to the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee but has not yet been scheduled on that calendar.
HB0045 will be heard by the full House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on April 8.
If you would like to provide comment on the legislation, please contact members of the committee prior to that meeting using the contact information below:
HB0045/SB0693 Increases Penalty For Child Abuse Injuries
Rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov, rep.clark.boyd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeremy.faison@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bob.freeman@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michael.hale@capitol.tn.gov, rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov, rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov, rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov, rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.lee.reeves@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.sparks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kevin.vaughan@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov
