[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6284655,"mediaKeyId","2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce","parentId",2577166,"title","House Judiciary Committee advances multiple criminal‑justice and public‑safety bills; roundup and votes at a glance","audioSeconds",4679,"startMs",966000,"endMs",5645000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce&start=966&end=5645","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce/thumbnail_966000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284655/Tennessee/House-Judiciary-Committee-advances-multiple-criminaljustice-and-publicsafety-bills-roundup-and-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284655-a9af47cb0051cbf8b9955ec36278047f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087489&Signature=ZDStLuEqQjNSgM7-MFLZa0qDorWbWbyw80WaUA8oXEhI7s5-ZYsCUCSM2pfX7mFs45HS8LTrGv3H3pXF6r2OmY86Mpa1lf5sFYMdUjcbL0Fpa~TcnVhjqeDvF9CVz4soS1W1OUtyByMMn6HPkzknV6-6fckPO1eyNKdoZ0eaCJK~DLaQW~GBIRjCyhJmO8O1zWH6YhKc~kPjWgJPVom927z51JPFue36~NDY2ePaPgu~n-DPueIyBzDeI4Hv6jPCnA-wk4AP0x6dlkD0jHdj5qmyA4KfFvTRdrU-e60g8qNjwVvPw~IYBwWvw2HEN18Np0w79fBSavTDmHmAIpvkZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The House Judiciary Committee considered a full calendar and advanced a mix of public-safety, criminal-justice and administrative bills. Several drew brief discussion; others prompted more extensive debate and public testimony. Below are the key outcomes and short notes on each docketed item recorded in committee minutes.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 9-62: Approved to Commerce (16 ayes, 0 nos, 1 present not voting). The bill permits local governments to form hemp/CBD boards, working with the ABC; sponsor described it as permissive and complementary to pending state-level enforcement changes.

- House Joint Resolution 100: Approved to calendar and rules (20-0). Urges opioid-abatement administrators to dedicate 25% of funds to naloxone purchases and public awareness (see separate article).

- House Bill 7-51 (as amended): Approved to calendar and rules (16 ayes, 2 nos, 2 present not voting). The sponsor raised penalties for possessing fentanyl or derivatives around children (class C and B felony tiers discussed). The amendment tightened language about knowingly having fentanyl in proximity to children.

- House Bill 7-55 (as amended): Approved to calendar and rules (21-0). Removes a $10,000 cap on immediate payments to estates or replaces an old statutory cap so that wages owed are paid to families without being delayed in probate.

- House Bill 4-73 (DNA bill, as amended): Approved to finance, ways and means (18 ayes, 3 nos). Requires DNA samples be taken at booking when a person is arrested and indicted for a felony, with destruction rules for nonconvictions discussed.

- House Bill 7-86 (as amended): Approved to calendar and rules (20-0). Increases penalties for impersonating rideshare or taxi drivers to protect riders and drivers.

- House Bill 11-48 (as amended): Approved to finance, ways and means (13 ayes, 7 nos, 1 present not voting). Removes THCA and THCP from authorized hemp cannabinoids and includes post-decarboxylation testing language; sponsors and members debated economic and public-health impacts (see separate article).

- House Bill 11-65 (as amended): Approved to finance, ways and means (17 ayes, 1 no, 2 present not voting). Creates an enhancement for adults who coerce minors into committing crimes.

- House Bill 5-82: Approved to calendar and rules (21-0). Codifies Tennessee Bureau of Investigation authority to classify sex offenders, reflecting longstanding practice.

- House Bill 5-47: Approved to finance, ways and means (20-0). Creates a public safety fund for district attorneys, funded by a $12.50 charge; modeled on an existing public‑defender fund and subject to local adoption.

- House Bill 8-21: Approved to calendar and rules (20-0). Requires ID checks for all vape and tobacco purchases, aligning practices with alcohol retail ID rules.

- House Bill 6-41: Approved to finance, ways and means (20-0). Seeks to increase funding for Tennessee’s 32 accredited child advocacy centers; sponsors noted current per‑child payments have not kept pace with costs.

- House Bill 33: Approved to finance, ways and means (11 ayes, 5 nos). Adds transparency requirements when a judge or judicial commissioner releases a defendant charged in an offense involving a firearm, requiring findings documented at time of release.

- House Bill 38: Approved to calendar and rules (9 ayes, 8 nos). The Parental Accountability Act would require mandatory parent/guardian penalties for a child’s third or subsequent delinquency adjudication; a Vanderbilt law professor testified in opposition and members raised concerns about judicial discretion and the effect on low-income families (see separate article).

What’s next

Bills that moved to finance and ways and means will receive fiscal review and additional committee hearings as needed. Measures sent to calendar and rules will be scheduled for floor consideration. Several bills that drew objections or narrow votes are likely to see further amendments before final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judiciary Committee\tMar 12, 2025\t11:31 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The committee advanced a package of bills on hemp regulation, DNA collection, fentanyl penalties, probate payments, rideshare impersonation, child‑safety funding and other measures. This roundup lists each bill, the committee action and key details.","taxTitle","Judiciary, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",79849,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":46,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284660,"Heated debate, legal-opinion testimony as Parental Accountability Act advances to calendar and rules",738,4907000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce&start=4907&end=5645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce/thumbnail_4907000.jpg","/articles/6284660/Tennessee/Heated-debate-legal-opinion-testimony-as-Parental-Accountability-Act-advances-to-calendar-and-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284660-bfeda24f4dd3082e059fc98be63e324d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087489&Signature=iY1gztOKVBXP5PbQo~iaD2pogZ6QvFtV7aQaDe0JJ~ECtp~OmE9q62MUXbOcPXc7vDXqBcY9e1nhn8h-mK2yM7sJ3IMYfkmKwFabqTHAtpm2uatubUGoDDr~HaTDpyXZW~1sBeveli9OXb5WhjYKjXXH8ihgvsw2FkDCz5f0RZIVyBigzSt8QYf9ednEUNvegUxU1Itsb3-rx~Ahw~MIPZCtxDFK~5d~TpraTyUKmyu6QuVOmMn72RJnCrsMWdJORxF4IlTcn8dR23ebU6I7VLU1rgz2XXK2m15hNlxqYCtupWw71N9fCgg4sszEkLyE9aQMoWAlx0zg7lJ2PYLlqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Gillespie sponsored House Bill 38, the ‘‘Parental Accountability Act,’’ and the House Judiciary Committee voted to send the bill to calendar and rules after public testimony and extended questioning.

Under the bill as presented, parents or legal guardians of a child adjudicated delinquent for a third or subsequent offense would face a financial penalty (identified in committee as restitution or a reimbursement) or court-ordered community service if they cannot pay. Gillespie said the measure is intended to force greater parental engagement where a young person repeatedly comes before juvenile court.

Cara Souvall (identified in testimony as Cara Souvall), clinical law professor at Vanderbilt Law School and director of a youth legal clinic, testified in opposition. She said juvenile judges already have discretion under current law to impose financial penalties in appropriate cases, and she warned making penalties mandatory ‘‘would actually damage public safety instead of improving it’’ by diverting scarce resources from services. Souvall said many families the clinic represents are low-income and rely on limited funds and time to obtain services for children and that mandatory fines could reduce their ability to access treatment or supervision.

Committee members questioned whether the bill presumes parental culpability. Representative Bolso (Bolesale) and Representative Johnson asked whether the bill imposes an implicit presumption that parents are responsible; Souvall and members noted the current law allows judicial discretion and that the proposed change makes the penalty mandatory rather than permissive.

Members also raised concerns about terminology and priorities. Representative Johnson said restitution traditionally compensates victims and questioned whether the bill’s use of the term could conflict with victims’ restitution claims or create a perverse incentive. Members asked whether payments would be directed to victims or to law enforcement agencies; testimony indicated the bill would route funds to law-enforcement uses rather than directly to victims, raising separation-of-purpose concerns.

After public testimony and debate the chair called the question. The clerk recorded 9 ayes and 8 nos; House Bill 38 moves to calendar and rules for further consideration.","House Bill 38, which would require mandatory parental financial penalties for a child's third or subsequent delinquency adjudication, drew public legal testimony and concern from juvenile-justice advocates before the committee sent the bill to calendar and rules by a narrow margin.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284665,"House panel advances ban on THCA and THCP in hemp-derived products; sponsors cite child-safety concerns",964,2915000,3879000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce&start=2915&end=3879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce/thumbnail_2915000.jpg","/articles/6284665/Tennessee/House-panel-advances-ban-on-THCA-and-THCP-in-hemp-derived-products-sponsors-cite-child-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284665-57d02e0923e90909785b69c35575ca00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087489&Signature=ZSToMBOmVsFmerNy1695E~vbSF-cJtT108QW~Bz8wyj5igkDcqNP7vk5NY0xfU~tCp7RxNPmtqMe6VHYB6mlszHleoa6MwJ4XUX49YGvuds4wyU73hkkRuiInHTu6Ht2ldqiX7xwH9CW-tDZMUw0BVIKVXk9HyLE0Gogh6ClLUpf0X16PZn8y7bHkstBtUEYT~D~cVO2QEkYPA9KX08V08UxAfphh371-sEH6ETy099e03AGHPmPRbZB6YZSK33r0vrHji1lGuNZr5Gs5MOGxvMtQcRXLpUGcu3iY~-2s37OMlIh9IO~HrJstOS2zsDUNucVe71losUlfb1BpZ40yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Butler sponsored House Bill 11-48, which the committee approved as amended and sent to finance, moving a ban on THCA and THCP in hemp-derived products toward further consideration.

Butler told the committee the bill ‘‘removes THCA and THCP from the list of authorized hemp-derived cannabinoids’’ after committee amendments corrected drafting language. He framed the proposal as a response to a ‘‘public health crisis’’ involving vapes and edible products that can intoxicate children and students.

Members raised concerns about commercial impacts. Representative Johnson asked whether all hemp contains THCA; Butler replied that hemp can contain trace THCA and that the bill would prevent sale of products containing THCA rather than prohibit growing hemp varieties that have trace amounts. Representative Harris and others pressed on economic effects; Butler said certain salves and low‑trace oils could still be produced and that an amendment on post-decarboxylation testing was intended to give a more accurate measure of a product’s psychoactive potential.

Committee members also discussed timing. Representative Rosanna Powell asked whether vendors and laboratories beyond the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) could perform testing; Butler said TBI would store specimens and that certified third-party labs could perform analyses. After discussion the sponsor said he would accept an amendment to make the effective date July 1, aligning with a senate change, to give businesses time to adapt.

Leader Lambert and other members noted Colorado and other states’ different approaches to cannabinoid products and emphasized a policy choice for the legislature. Opponents who had signaled intent to testify were not present when the committee took the vote.

The clerk recorded 13 ayes, 7 nos and 1 present not voting; House Bill 11-48 advances to finance and ways and means as amended.","The House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 11-48 as amended to prohibit sale of THCA and THCP in hemp-derived products, prompting debate about impacts on the hemp industry, testing methods and implementation timing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284670,"House committee backs resolution urging 25% of opioid-abatement funds for naloxone access",1027,1128000,2155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce&start=1128&end=2155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577166-96c8d27d7819c2de09c6c687d42e2dce/thumbnail_1128000.jpg","/articles/6284670/Tennessee/House-committee-backs-resolution-urging-25-of-opioid-abatement-funds-for-naloxone-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284670-799150951d78eb395c6f7a0eee6f939b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771087489&Signature=nT5AWO5fGfRYWTfii7-6TWyMcjSLytRd~WyAzy6AZdQ~GsODsiTyBMC6acJY-qPzSFDK~NxxFZ-v5wF0G~aLSbA10P3Tc9w1HI3SgrXrIIaO6WuRs6dwbjWTU0QX1pvDUZCwH7audtQr2T5Nf1vc~fdyDp6ZfUQJP0GlDmN6ma6o3cU4D5pvTT63p8t1MpsSGb~QdiU4xLSIRiARqg5kcOTiDEW-5AnhLfHrsYYzaABmQw1TIBfkYoUoaMkpEWEHIvRQrH0WsNbtf0AIfLEhrSIMkxemE1L84qppwCMTe84oGRKa9yhuhBNrxurq5aO5SEu3Jq172w0YWouPviwgQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Jeremy Faison sponsored House Joint Resolution 100 and the House Judiciary Committee voted to send the resolution forward after testimony and questions about expanding naloxone access.

The measure urges Tennessee’s opioid-abatement administrators to dedicate 25% of funding to naloxone purchases and related public awareness. George Massengill, who identified himself as representing a nonprofit called REACH and said he is 37 years in recovery, told the committee increased naloxone availability and public education would reduce overdose deaths.

Massengill said naloxone ‘‘is the medication that if someone is overdosing and we have that available and can administer that, they most of the time will survive.’’ He and other speakers urged wider distribution and awareness so more people carry naloxone.

Committee members asked about safety and side effects. Representative Rosanna Powell asked whether naloxone could harm someone who did not have opioids in their system; Massengill replied he was not medical personnel but said he was not aware of harm in those cases and several members followed up with similar questions about repeated administration. Representative Powell and Representative Towns also pressed on durability and public messaging, and Faison described existing and planned public-service announcements using opioid-abatement funds.

Faison told the committee the resolution is a short-term triage proposal to ‘‘flood the market with Narcan,’’ saying he wants the device widely available across districts and in legislators’ cars and offices. He told members the devices can cost in the ‘‘teens’’ per dose but save lives.

After testimony and questions the committee called the question and voted. The clerk recorded 20 ayes, 0 nos, 0 present not voting; House Joint Resolution 100 will move to calendar and rules.

The resolution urges the opioid-abatement council to prioritize naloxone purchases and outreach for a defined period; it does not itself appropriate funds or change statutory allocation authority.","The House Judiciary Committee voted to send House Joint Resolution 100 urging state opioid-abatement administrators to dedicate 25% of distributions to naloxone (Narcan) purchases and public awareness; survivors and recovery advocates urged the measure at the hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Judiciary Committee advances multiple criminal‑justice and public‑safety bills; roundup and votes at a glance

Heated debate, legal-opinion testimony as Parental Accountability Act advances to calendar and rules

House panel advances ban on THCA and THCP in hemp-derived products; sponsors cite child-safety concerns

House committee backs resolution urging 25% of opioid-abatement funds for naloxone access