Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Legislation that seeks to increase the penalty for child abusers in Tennessee is one step closer to a vote by the full House of Representatives after receiving a unanimous vote on Tuesday in the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.
In a rare display of bipartisan support, House Bill 0045 (HB0045), sponsored by Representative Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin-District 63), passed out of the committee with a 28 to 0 vote and has been referred to the Calendar and Rules Committee.
The House Committee on Calendar and Rules sets the calendar and schedules the meetings of the various standing committees in the House. Made up of the speaker, speaker pro tempore, majority and minority caucus chairmen or their designees, two members from both the majority and minority parties, a speaker and a vice-chair who are appointed by the House speaker, and chairmen of each standing committee, the Calendar and Rules Committee debates the merits of bills and resolutions that come before it thereby determining if legislation reaches the House floor for debate and a vote.
HB0045 would make the intentional infliction of injury to a child between the ages of nine and seventeen a Class E felony. Anyone found guilty of abusing children over the age of eight in Tennessee is currently only charged with a Class A misdemeanor under state law.
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.
Last year, the General Assembly addressed a different aspect of child endangerment and neglect by passing a law that significantly increased penalties for individuals who indirectly cause harm or death to children eight-years-old and younger.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
