Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SB1159

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 49, relative to juvenile offenders.

Impact

The bill, if enacted, will have significant implications for juvenile justice in Tennessee. By increasing the age of jurisdiction for certain offenses, the bill seeks to reduce the number of younger individuals who enter the juvenile justice system, potentially allowing for more rehabilitative approaches rather than punitive measures. This shift may lead to alterations in how youth are processed through the system and how they are treated once accused of offenses.

Summary

Senate Bill 1159 proposes an amendment to the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically addressing the treatment and jurisdiction of juvenile offenders. The central aspect of the bill changes the minimum age of jurisdiction from fourteen to fifteen years. This revision seeks to reflect a more nuanced understanding of juvenile development and to adjust how the legal system interacts with younger individuals who commit offenses.

Contention

However, this proposed change isn't without contention. Advocates for the bill argue that it acknowledges the developmental differences between younger and older adolescents and aligns Tennessee's laws with those of other states that have adopted similar measures. Opponents, on the other hand, may raise concerns about public safety and accountability, arguing that young offenders should still be subject to legal consequences for their actions regardless of age. The debate around this bill highlights broader discussions on juvenile justice reform and the best means of ensuring both accountability and rehabilitation.

Companion Bills

TN HB1029

Crossfiled AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 49, relative to juvenile offenders.

Previously Filed As

TN HB1029

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 49, relative to juvenile offenders.

TN HB1114

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 49, relative to juveniles.

TN SB1026

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 49, relative to juveniles.

TN SB2752

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 40; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to juveniles.

TN HB2844

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 40; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to juveniles.

TN HB7026

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 34; Title 37; Title 38 and Title 39, relative to juveniles.

TN SB7092

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 34; Title 37; Title 38 and Title 39, relative to juveniles.

TN HB2101

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 34; Title 37; Title 38 and Title 39, relative to juveniles.

TN SB2817

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 34; Title 37; Title 38 and Title 39, relative to juveniles.

TN SB0608

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41, relative to juveniles.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.