- 2024, Criminal
Authorizes death penalty for rape of a child.
HB 1663 / SB 1834
Bill Description
Bill Sponsors
Rep. William Lamberth
Sen. Jack Johnson
Bill Co-Sponsors
House: Littleton, Faison, Capley, Sexton, Garrett, Doggett, McCalmon, Zachary, Grills, Sherrell, Bricken, Wright, Davis, Russell, Martin G, Vital, Hawk, Moon, Hicks G, Eldridge, Alexander, White, Rudder, Raper, Cepicky, Carringer, Powers, Helton-Haynes, Haston, Richey, Barrett, Terry, Hurt, Ragan, Lynn, Moody, Cochran, Fritts, Butler, Warner
Senate: Yager, Haile, Bowling, Stevens
TLRC Statement on Bill
Currently, the rape of a child is considered a Class A felony in Tennessee. This bill if passed as introduced would allow for the death penalty or life in prison as a sentence for adults who commit these crimes. If the defendant was a juvenile at the time of the offense, they would not face the death penalty, but this bill would still require the sentencing to be not less than forty nor more than sixty years. If the death penalty is imposed the case must be reviewed by the Tennessee Supreme Court.
We support this increased criminal penalty for those who would harm our most vulnerable, our children.
