Tennessee Senate Bill SB7037

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/21/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to stalking.

Impact

If enacted, SB7037 would significantly impact the classification and prosecution of stalking cases in Tennessee, especially those involving abortion providers. By elevating the crimes against these individuals to the level of hate crimes, the bill seeks to provide greater protections to healthcare providers who may face threats or violence as a result of their professional duties. This change is intended to deter such crimes through increased penalties, signaling that targeting individuals based on their profession and the services they provide is unacceptable.

Summary

Senate Bill 7037 aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding stalking in Tennessee, specifically in cases where the victim is a healthcare provider who performs abortions. This bill amends the existing Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, to classify instances of stalking, aggravated stalking, or especially aggravated stalking motivated by the victim's healthcare profession as a hate crime. The bill mandates that such offenses will carry a punishment one classification higher than the existing penalties for stalking as defined in the law.

Contention

The introduction of SB7037 may prompt debates about the implications of designating certain crimes as hate crimes, as it raises complex questions about which professions deserve additional protections under the law. Supporters of the bill may argue that it is crucial to safeguard healthcare professionals providing abortion services from harassment and violence, while opponents might contend that the bill could lead to a slippery slope, where individuals in other professions also seek special designations for protection. The discourse around this bill may reflect broader societal tensions regarding abortion rights and the treatment of healthcare workers in politically charged environments.