TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Sep 15, 2023

House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, is planning to revive a bill aimed at stiffening sentences for serious juvenile crimes in 2024. The bill, which died during a truncated special session on public safety, seeks to classify children aged 14 and older as "serious youthful offenders" for certain offenses, allowing them to be transferred to prison through age 24. Critics argue that tougher sentences may not address the root causes of juvenile crime and could exacerbate problems such as the school-to-prison pipeline. Other bills, including those related to gun storage requirements, mass violence threats and child autopsy reports, are also expected to be reintroduced in 2024. The Tennessee Lookout has a comprehensive overview.