According to WVLT, numerous new Tennessee Laws will take into effect on Thursday July 1st. These laws include.
Evelyn Boswell’s Law
The bill would require parents to report their child missing within 24 hours of determining that the child is missing. The bill applies to children 12 years or younger.
Child Rape Sentencing
Under the legislation, someone who is convicted of the facilitation of rape of a child or aggravated rape of a child will be required to serve 100% of the sentence imposed, minus a 15 percent credit. The individual will also be required to have community supervision for life.
Eli’s Law
The new law will require courts to be alerted of any child born to parents who have had a previous child removed from their custody.
Permitless Carry
The new legislation allows Tennessee residents 21 and older and military members over the age of 18 to carry open or concealed handguns without a permit. The law will also increase punishments for gun-related crimes.
Porch Pirates
The new law will create harsher punishment for repeat offenders who steal packages. Under the legislation, the first offense is punishable based on the value of the item stolen. Continued offenses can be charged as a Class E felony.
Transgender Restroom Sign
Tennessee will be the first State in the United States to require businesses and government facilities open to the public to post a sign if they let transgender people use multiperson bathrooms, locker rooms or changing rooms associated with their gender identity.
HOPE Scholarship Eligibility
The new law will extend eligibility to homeschool students who wish to apply for HOPE Scholarships.
Adoption Health Check
The law requires adoptive parents who receive subsidies to provide the Department of Child Services with medical/school records in order to get a health check. Guardians who fail to provide the records will be prompted to have a face-to-face interview with DCS.
Lifetime Order of Protection
The bill will allow victims of vilonet crimes to seek a lifetime order of protection, Current laws require victims to go in front of a judge every year in order to renew the order of protection. Under the new bill, if the protection order is not followed, the suspect will have one additional year in prison for each violation.
Re-entry Success Act
This legislation will create a mandatory supervision program for individuals getting out of prison and will reduce liability for employers who are hiring those with a criminal record.
Alternatives to Incarceration Act
The Alternatives to Incarceration Act will create community-based alternatives to prison time for people convicted of low-level or non-violent offenses.