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House extends vehicular homicide statute of limitations to 10 years
Summary
The House approved a change to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting vehicular homicide to 10 years, with sponsors citing cases where new evidence emerged after existing limits had expired.
The Tennessee House voted to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting vehicular homicide to 10 years, a change sponsors said aligns Tennessee with roughly 47 other states and gives prosecutors more time to investigate cases where new information surfaces.
Representative McKenzie, sponsor of the substitution to Senate Bill 1840, told the House the measure "extends the statute of limitation for prosecution of vehicular homicide... within 10 years from the date of the offense," and cited a constituent whose case could not be pursued under the prior limitation. Members debated whether 10 years strikes the correct balance; Representative Rudd said six years seemed sufficient for many investigations, while others argued vehicular homicide cases can involve delayed discovery.
After floor discussion the House moved the previous question and voted; the clerk reported 58 ayes, 30 nays and 5 present-not-voting and the bill passed on third reading.
