BILL WATCH
Bill Watch is a service of the Knoxville Bar Association Legislative Committee. During the legislative session, the KBA will distribute an updated report, through the support of Stephanie D. Coleman of Owings, Wilson & Coleman. The report will indicate progress and recent actions taken on the bills of interest to KBA members.
You can also get information about the General Assembly, including the text of bills and floor and committee calendars, by accessing the legislative web site at www.capitol.tn.gov.
Foster System — The Judiciary Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 2398 which proposes the state reimburse eligible relatives of foster youth to support the cost of raising the child. It would also expand eligibility of 18- to 21-year-olds who are transitioning from state custody to adulthood to access services.
COVID-19 Vaccines — Last year, President Joe Biden issued an executive order requiring healthcare workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The order was initially enjoined by federal courts before being upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. The order recognized existing constitutional and statutory protections for those who do not get the vaccine for either religious or medical reasons.
Senate Bill 1823 proposes to codify into state law medical and religious exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination mandates. This bill would also allow the Attorney General to take civil action against that employer if they fail to honor either the exemption. The effect is not retroactive, however, an employee previously terminated based on failure to become vaccinated shall not be denied reemployment on the same grounds.
Education — The Education Committee passed legislation requiring public schools to post online a list of the materials available to students in the school libraries. The Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022, Senate Bill 2407, now goes to the full Senate for consideration. The bill does not address the appropriateness of any particular material but requires periodic review of school library collections for age-appropriateness. The decision of whether or not to remove a particular item is in the discretion of the school administration in conjunction with the school board.
Voting — A ban on ranked choice or instant runoff voting in state and local elections (Senate Bill 1820) was passed by the full Senate. Ranked choice voting is a voting method in which voters rank candidates by preference. The candidate with a majority of first-preference votes wins. If no candidate wins a majority of first-preference votes, then the candidate with the lowest preference is eliminated and their votes are redistributed among the remaining candidates. The process repeats until a winner is identified.
Human Trafficking — The Senate voted in favor of Senate Bill 1670, which requires all school personnel, instead of only teachers, be trained at least once every three years on the detection, intervention, prevention, and treatment of human trafficking.
Elections/ Residency requirements — Senate Bill 2616 would require candidates for U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives to meet the residency requirements for state senators and representatives contained in the Tennessee Constitution. The bill passed the State and Local Government Committee. The Tennessee State Constitution requires three years of residency in Tennessee to run for the State Senate or House.
State Park Maintenance — The Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee approved Senate Bill 2418, which establishes the State Parks Hospitality Maintenance and Improvement Fund. Each fiscal year, the bill would require at least 2% of the gross revenue created by park facilities to be deposited into the fund, which will be used for maintenance expenses.
Local Education Agencies — The Senate passed Senate Bill 503, which entitles Local Education Agencies to reimbursement for the cost of providing health or medical services to eligible students.
Crime — Senate Bill 1807 adds rape to the list of offenses for which a defendant is not eligible for probation under the Tennessee Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989. The bill was passed by the Judiciary Committee.
First Responders — The Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1785, which revises the offenses of aggravated assault and assault against a first responder or nurse to include the use of an article fashioned to make the victim reasonably believe it to be a deadly weapon.
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