Tennessee House Passes Bipartisan Bill Correcting Criminal Responsibility Loophole

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

A bill carried by a House Republican and Senate Democrat correcting a loophole in current law which allows potentially innocent third parties to be charged with criminal responsibility in certain felony cases unanimously passed the House on Monday in a rare show of total bipartisan support.

Sponsored by Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2), HB1372 “removes the killing of another committed in the perpetration of or attempt to perpetrate certain crimes from the elements of first degree murder, deletes the offense of criminal responsibility for conduct of another, and deletes the offense of criminal responsibility for the facilitation of a felony.”

Rep. Hulsey previously explained, “If a girlfriend loans her boyfriend a car and he takes the car and goes down and robs a convenience store, the way the existing statute is written it’s possible to charge the girlfriend with criminal responsibility in this particular crime. All this bill does is says there has to be intent to benefit for her to be charged with criminal responsibility as a third party.”

After a few clarifying questions, the vote was 95-0 in favor by all House Republicans and Democrats present for Monday’s floor session.

Senate companion SB1170 carried by Democrat Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis-District 29) has also seen nearly unanimous success, passing the Senate Judiciary Committee in an 8-1 vote and currently awaiting a date for a Senate floor vote.

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.