Bill To Keep Autopsy Reports Of Murdered Tennessee Children Hidden From The Public Passes In The House

Image: House Bill Sponsor Rebecca Alexander (R-Jonesborough-District 7) presents HB1695 on the House Floor. Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

A bill to keep autopsy reports of murdered children hidden from the public passed in a vote on the Tennessee House floor yesterday afternoon.

After a voice vote adopted an amendment rewriting the bill, state representatives voted 88 to 4 to pass it.

With the adopted amendment, House Bill 1695 (HB1695) states that the reports of county medical examiners and autopsy reports of minors who are the victims of homicide are not public documents. These documents could only be released if the minor’s parent or legal guardian is not a suspect in the crime, and they give consent. Additionally, a court could order the release of a report “upon showing of good cause” or if another state or federal law required the documents to be released. The amendment also adds that “medical records of deceased persons, law enforcement investigative reports, and photographs, video, and other images of deceased persons are not public records.”

There was loud opposition from Democratic representatives on the floor when Representative William Lamberth quickly called for a vote on the bill. The House Clerk clarified that no further debate on the bill was possible and a roll call vote was then taken.

All but three Republicans and one Democrat voted for the bill. Those Representatives who voted against the bill were Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69), John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge-District 33) and Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) on the Republican side and Democrat Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville-District 50).

Representatives who were present but chose not to vote were Representatives Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2), Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville-District 90), Justin Jones (D-Nashville-District 52) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis-District 86). 

Should this bill become law, a child that is murdered while in foster care and in the custody of the state will result in all documents being shielded from the public eye as media outlets would be forbidden from having access to them.

The presumed motivation behind this legislative effort is due to the Covenant School shooting. The bill was first introduced during the special session last year. Parents of the victims of the shooting have endeavored to keep their children’s records from being made public.

The corresponding Senate Bill 2020 (SB2020) sponsored by Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro-District 14) has been referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee but has yet to be put on a calendar.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. 

You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.