Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
A bill allowing charitable organizations to be held liable for damages of any criminal offense committed by an illegal immigrant who is receiving housing from that charitable organization passed in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday by a 15-6 vote.
House Bill 811 (HB0811), sponsored by Rep. Rusty Grills (R-Newbern-District 77), “allows a charitable organization that provides housing to a person whom the charitable organization knows is unlawfully present in the United States to be held liable for a loss, damages, injury, or death resulting from a criminal offense committed by the person who is unlawfully present in the United States while the person is receiving housing services from the charitable organization if the charitable organization’s conduct in providing housing constitutes negligence, gross negligence, or willful and wanton misconduct.”
For the purposes of this legislation, housing is defined as long-term living accommodations.
This includes assistance with obtaining or signing a lease for an apartment or rental home.
It does not include temporary overnight housing like homeless shelters or storm shelters.
According to the bill sponsors, this is a “public safety bill” requiring non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to “be more vigilant in their vetting and their supervising.”
HB0811 passed by a 15-6 vote during an April 9th meeting of the House Judiciary Committee.
“What we’re doing with this bill is anyone who is a victim of crime committed by an illegal alien will have a private right of action against any NGO that has assisted the illegal alien with housing in the community,” Rep. Grills stated.
Open Table Co-Founder and Director of Advocacy Lindsey Krinks, who is also an ordained interfaith street chaplain, testified before the committee in opposition of HB0811 on the grounds that the legislation would inhibit religious freedom by not allowing NGOs to assist illegal immigrants with permanent housing.
“Our goal is not just to provide shelter to people, but it’s also to connect people with permanent housing in order to break cycles of homelessness. So we help people obtain and sign leases just like this bill says,” said Krinks.
“As a minister and non-profit leader I believe that every person, regardless of their immigration status is a child of God who deserves dignified housing,” Krinks continued. “When we push for policies and use language that dehumanizes our neighbors from different countries, we’re defiling the image of God.”
Republican Representatives Rebecca Alexander, Fred Atchley, Gino Bulso, Elaine Davis, Clay Doggett, Rick Eldridge, Andrew Farmer, Kelly Keisling, William Lamberth, Mary Littleton, Lowell Russell, Rick Scarbrough, Tom Stinnett, Chris Todd and Ron Travis voted in favor of the bill.
Democrat Representatives G.A. Hardaway, Torrey Harris, Gloria Johnson, Jason Powell, Gabby Salinas and Joe Towns voted against it.
HB0811 has now been referred to the House Calendar and Rules Committee to be scheduled for a vote on the House floor.
The corresponding Senate Bill 227 (SB0227), sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31), already passed on the Senate floor last week by a 24-4 vote.
To hear Sen. Taylor speak on this legislation watch this interview with The Tennessee Conservative.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. Adelia is The Tennessee Conservative’s on-site reporter for the Tennessee General Assembly. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Good! Thanx!