A bill named for a slain toddler is headed for Gov. Bill Lee’s desk after receiving unanimous approval from the state House of Representatives yesterday. The state Senate had approved the bill on Monday. HB384/SB327 would require parents who know or suspect their child is missing to report that information to local law enforcement or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation within 24 hours. The bill applies to children 12 years or younger. Failure to notify law enforcement would result in a fine of up to $2,500 and up to 11 months and 29 days in jail. If the child is found with bodily harm, a parent who failed to report could face up to $10,000 in fines and 15 years in jail. The bill is named for Sullivan County toddler Evelyn Boswell, who was found dead after her disappearance went unreported for roughly two months, Mainstreet-Nashville reports.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, last week stripped Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, of his committee assignments, the Nashville Post reports. The decision was announced with no debate or explanation shortly before members left the Capitol for the week. “There are certain expectations that must be met by members of the Tennessee House of Representatives,” Sexton said through a spokesperson. “These include maintaining decorum and professionalism, as well as respect for others, and perhaps most importantly, respect for our longstanding committee process. If any or all of these expectations become an issue, appropriate actions will be taken — including removing a member from his or her committee assignments.” The paper says the dispute appears to stem from an argument between Griffey and House leaders earlier this week over the legislator’s attempt to revive a bill defeated in a subcommittee. The Republican Party in Griffey's home Henry County passed a resolution earlier this week censuring Sexton over the parliamentary dispute and calling on the speaker to resign his position.

The Tennessee legislature will not be banning requirements for workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, at least during this session, WPLN reports. Yesterday, Rep. Rusty Grills, R-Newbern, took his bill, HB1147, off notice. The measure would have made it illegal to require employees to take the vaccine. Ultimately, the interests of “corporate freedom” won out against “individual liberty,” as one lawmaker put it. Grills also said that after talking to other members, he was concerned the proposal would conflict with the state’s “right-to-work” policies. Currently, federal law prohibits employers from forcing workers to get the vaccine because it has only been approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration.

A bill that would have legalized medical marijuana in Tennessee has failed in the state Senate, WJHL reports. Though the bill was recommended for passage by the Senate Government Operations Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee chose not to move forward with SB854 after some lawmakers expressed concerns about its constitutionality. Another medical marijuana bill is still active. SB667 would direct the Tennessee Department of Health to study medical marijuana licensing and regulations in neighboring states.

A bill passed by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee yesterday would create an electronic tracking system for victims and law enforcement to monitor the status of rape kit processing, Tennessee Lookout reports. HB39/SB1035 is sponsored by Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, and Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, and is scheduled to be considered by the House Criminal Justice Committee next week. The legislation would direct law enforcement agencies, hospitals and labs to participate in the tracking system. The measure also would require law enforcement to pick up sexual assault evidence from a hospital within 48 hours of being notified, and extend the time period for preserving evidence from three to 10 years. Currently, 30 states and the District of Columbia have electronic tracking systems for law enforcement, with 24 states and D.C. also allowing victims to monitor the status.

Tennessee lawmakers are getting close to a final vote on a plan to do away with the state’s gun permit requirement, WPLN reports. The House Finance Committee approved the measure today, putting it on track for a floor vote possibly as soon as week. HB786/SB765 has already cleared the state Senate and is being championed by Gov. Bill Lee. Past attempts to delete the gun permit requirement have stalled amid opposition from police, gun control groups and past governors. But Lee has put his full weight behind the proposal, the news station says.

The legislation to ban transgender athletes from competing in middle and high school sports under their gender identity has been approved by the state House, the Tennessean reports. Lawmakers voted 71-16 in favor of SB228/HB3, which will now head to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. Lee has previously expressed support for the measure. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee yesterday issued a response urging Lee to veto the bill and threatening legal action “should any transgender student be excluded because of this new law.”

The Senate Government Operations Committee on Wednesday approved SB600, sponsored by Sen. Joey Hensley, R- Hohenwald, which would remove 29 Tennessee Historical Commission members appointed by the governor and replace them in July with 12 members: four appointed by the governor, four by the House speaker and four by the Senate speaker. The move comes after the commission voted to relocate the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from the Capitol to the State Museum. Many lawmakers want more say over the process, Tennessee Lookout reports. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, have said they believe the legislature has control over the second floor of the Capitol and have sought an opinion from Attorney General Herbert Slatery on the legal process for the bust’s removal. The measure goes next to the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Gov. Bill Lee opposes the measure to remove the sitting members and cut the size of the commission by more than half. 

Pressure is building on Gov. Bill Lee to release a report on government efficiency that was conducted by the consulting firm McKinsey & Company last year, according to the Tennessean. The report, which was publicly funded, has been kept mostly secret. The state Department of Human Resources has cited "deliberative process privilege" as an excuse not to release the report or answer questions about it. The paper reports that exemption is not found in state law. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said he only received a copy this week while House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he has not seen it yet. The study is reported to recommend reducing the number of management positions within state government.

Legislation that would allow for permitless handgun carry for most adults 21 and older in the state has advanced through the Tennessee Senate, the Associated Press reports. Senators approved the HB18/SB318 on a 23-9 vote and it must now pass the state House. Gov. Bill Lee has backed the bill, which applies to concealed or open carry, and is expected to sign it into law. Republican senators tweaked the original bill to ban those who had been convicted of stalking or driving under the influence from being able to carry a firearm. Those who had been hospitalized or judicially committed in a mental institution would also be banned. The bill carries an estimated $17.7 million price tag because it increases penalties on gun-related crimes and anticipates more incarcerations as a result.