Keeping Our Communities Safe

Public safety is not a partisan issue. It is a basic expectation of government. When you call 911, someone should answer. When a crime is committed, there should be consequences. When dangerous people pose a threat to your family, the justice system should keep them off the streets.

This session, the General Assembly delivered on that expectation with a strong slate of public safety legislation.

We passed measures creating a presumption against releasing defendants charged with firearm offenses that result in death or serious injury. If you shoot someone, you should not be back on the street the next day. Period.

We limited the ability of third-party groups to post bail for criminal defendants. Under the new law, these organizations cannot post bail for the same defendant more than once per year, and they are limited to no more than $5,000 in bail per defendant annually. Family members and licensed bondsmen are not affected. But outside groups that swoop in to bail out criminals will face new restrictions.

We passed legislation requiring judges to set bail for defendants charged with serious violent offenses, including Class A and B felonies, aggravated assault, and felony domestic assault. The law creates a presumption that bail must be at least $10,000 for these offenses. A judge can set a lower amount, but only with specific written findings explaining why.

We created a new felony offense for coercive suicide. This law is named after Grace Anne Sparks, a 19-year-old from Knoxville who was manipulated by a predator into taking her own life. Intentionally encouraging or aiding someone to commit suicide is now a Class D felony, punishable by up to 12 years in prison.

And we cracked down on organized retail crime. Under the new law, using a firearm or anti-theft device in organized retail theft carries a mandatory 30-day jail sentence. The timeframe for combining stolen merchandise has been extended from 90 to 180 days, giving law enforcement more time to build cases against theft rings.

Tennessee is sending a clear message: we will protect our communities. We will hold criminals accountable. And we will give law enforcement the tools they need to keep us safe.