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Memphis Victims Act draws testimony on low violent‑crime clearance rates; bill sent behind budget
Summary
Vice Chairman Gillespie presented the Memphis Victims Act to create a violent‑crime clearance grant fund; researcher Jennifer Dolyak of Arnold Ventures testified about low clearance rates in Memphis and endorsed grants to bolster investigations, DNA capacity and evidence‑based juvenile CBT programs. The bill and amendment were placed behind the budget for fiscal review.
Vice Chairman Gillespie described House Bill 10‑27, the Memphis Victims Act, and offered amendment drafting code 13,046. He said the bill seeks to support ongoing efforts in Memphis by creating resources for DNA collection, recruitment and retention, and data collection to improve violent‑crime clearance.
Jennifer Dolyak, executive vice president of criminal justice at Arnold Ventures, testified in support. She summarized research on clearance rates and said, "In Memphis last year, just 38 percent of homicides were cleared. Only 20 percent of all violent crimes and 12 percent of [sexual] assaults result in an arrest. These rates are unacceptable." Dolyak urged investments that increase the likelihood offenders will be caught, and highlighted evidence‑based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs for youth as a parallel prevention strategy. The committee accepted the amendment by voice vote and placed HB 10‑27 behind the budget pending fiscal work.
