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Tennessee Senate passes package of bills; education, parole and corrections measures advance
Summary
The Tennessee Senate approved a wide package of bills on final consideration, including measures changing parole-denial standards, clarifying protections for women in corrections, and setting new requirements for family-life curriculum. The chamber adopted two consent calendars and debated the family-life 'success sequence' amid objections from several senators.
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Senate on Wednesday approved a batch of bills on third and final consideration, clearing a mix of criminal justice, education and administrative measures after a series of short debates and amendments.
Among the measures adopted were changes to parole standards, a bill the sponsor said allows denial of parole if release would "depreciate the seriousness of a crime," and the "Women’s Safety and Protection Act," which the sponsor described as clarifying terms in state law to protect women and girls in correctional and congregate settings. Both measures passed after committee and floor amendments.
Senator Rose, sponsor of the parole-related bill, told the chamber the legislation addresses when parole may be denied "if the parole board determines that releasing the inmate would undermine the seriousness of the offense or promote disrespect for the law." The Senate recorded 23 ayes and 4 nays on that measure.
Senator Bolling, sponsor of the Women’s Safety and Protection Act, said the bill "clarifies and reconciles the meaning of female, male, and related terms in state law to provide protections for women and girls against sexual assault, harassment, and violence in correctional facilities, juvenile detention facilities, domestic violence shelters, dormitories, and restrooms." An amendment adding limited exclusions for certain state facilities and employees was adopted before passage.
The chamber also adopted two consent calendars of memorializing and congratulatory resolutions and multiple general bills without recorded opposition on the floor votes that followed the usual voice and roll-call procedures.
Votes at a glance: - Senate Bill 274 (county offices/charter counties): Adopted on final consideration after adoption of an amendment; recorded tally Ayes 27, Nays 0. - Senate Bill 455 (parole standard change): Adopted on final consideration; recorded tally Ayes 23, Nays 4. - Senate Bill 468 (Women’s Safety and Protection Act): Adopted on final consideration after amendment; recorded tally Ayes 24, Nays 4. - Senate Bill 471 (family-life curriculum "success sequence"): Adopted on final consideration after debate; recorded tally Ayes 25, Nays 5. - Other bills on the calendar were adopted as shown by the clerk’s roll calls during the session.
The Senate also advanced bills dealing with public-health reporting, agricultural and forestry recognition, licensing adjustments for marriage and family therapists, and several education-related measures. Committee chairs gave brief reports on upcoming meetings and deadlines for budget amendment filings.
The body adjourned to reconvene at 3 p.m. Monday next.
(Reporting in this article is based solely on the Senate floor transcript and the recorded roll-call tallies provided during the session.)
