Hello, friends. The 2021 legislative session has begun in Tennessee, so I’ve been researching pending legislation. Here are some of the bills being introduced. These will not all make it to consideration, but please encourage your legislators to cosponsor legislation you support or, if there is not a corresponding bill in their chamber, to introduce that legislation. This is only the beginning and we expect many more bills to pop in the pipeline.
Our UU Principles
Inherent worth and dignity of every person
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
In the Tennessee Senate
+ SB 18: Would revoke voting privileges only while a person is incarcerated. Currently in Tennessee “any person convicted of any felony on or after May 18, 1981 is disqualified from voting unless their voting rights have been restored or their conviction expunged.”
+ SB 23: Would allow people to use their college IDs as identification to vote (currently prohibited)
+ SB 24: Would exempt menstrual hygiene products from sales tax on the annual sales tax holiday. Currently these products are taxed at 7% because they are considered a “luxury” in TN. Last year Republican TN state Senator Joey Hensley opposed a similar bill because he worried women would stockpile products.
In the Tennessee House
- HB 3: An attack on trans children, this bill would require “that a student's gender for purposes of participation in a public middle school or high school interscholastic athletic activity or event be determined by the student's sex at the time of the student's birth, as indicated on the student's original birth certificate.”
+ HB 17: Inspired by the case of Cyntoia Brown, this bill would declare, for purposes of determining if a person has a “duty to retreat before threatening or using force in self-defense, that a person is not considered to be engaged in unlawful activity or where the person does not have a right to be if the person is engaged in the activity or in a place due to the person's status as a victim of human trafficking.”
- HB 18: If a person obtained a gun legally and is not prohibited from owning it, there would be no penalty for open or concealed carry without a permit.
- HB 21: “Require this state to refuse to consent to receive any refugees for purposes of resettlement; requires each local government within this state to refuse to consent to receive any refugees for purposes of resettlement unless resettlement within its jurisdiction is approved by a certain process.”
+ HB 31: A doctor must examine an inmate in solitary confinement at least every 15 days for serious mental illness. (No current requirement)
+ HB 33: Rename Legislative Plaza the “Ida B Wells-Barnett Plaza.” Wells was a black investigative journalist and early civil rights activist who also cofounded the NAACP.
+ HB 39: Enhanced rights for sexual assault survivors and more accountability for healthcare and law enforcement professionals.
Law enforcement would hold sexual assault kits (SAKs) at least 10 years (currently at least 3 years) or until a survivor chooses to begin an investigation
SAKs must be submitted to TBI within 30 days (currently 60 days) if the victim chooses to have it processed
Hospitals must notify law enforcement of SAKs to pick up within 24 hours (currently no timeframe requirement)
Law enforcement must pick up the SAKs within 48 hours (currently no timeframe requirement) and enter it into the evidence tracking system within 10 days.
SAK evidence may not be used against the victim for misdemeanors related or not related to the assault.
All victims are entitled to:
o Have an advocate present at any point , including during the forensic examination.
o Choose to be interviewed by an officer of the gender of their choice as long as that is available.
o Have a support person of the victim's choosing present during any forensic medical examination and during any interview with law enforcement, the prosecuting attorney, the defendant, or the defendant's attorney
+ HB 49: Sexual assault kits must be submitted to TBI within 30 days rather than 60 days—HB0039 is more robust and comprehensive
Cindi Huss