The two teens who fled from Hendersonville Police Officer Spencer Bristol before he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle on I-65 in 2019 were denied parole in two
This year, partly due to COVID-19âs effect on last yearâs legislature, dozens of criminal justice bills were passed by the Tennessee legislature. Some increase penalties for crimes. Others give victims more protection. And others change criminal procedure for those in the system.
Gov. Bill Lee pushed three big criminal justice laws this year.
A police reform bill, based on recommendations of a task force appointed last summer amid national uproar over policing tactics, bans no-knock warrants. It also puts limitations on chokeholds and requires law enforcement agencies to enact policies regarding de-escalation and a use-of-force reporting system.
House Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland, sponsored two other criminal justice packages for Lee.
New Laws Effective July 1 Benefit 1st Responders, Veterans Tuesday, June 29, 2021
As Tennessee ushers in a new fiscal year on July 1, several new laws protecting and benefiting Tennessee’s first responders, active military service members and veterans will take effect.
Among the new laws is legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville) providing volunteer firefighters an annual $600 payment upon completion of at least 30 hours of training. Currently, the cost of any training or equipment is often at their own expense.
Leader Johnson said, “In many parts of our state, volunteer firefighters are the only means of providing emergency fire and medical services.