BHB/7/10
Sponsored by Emeline Lasseter, Ruby Hatley, Jane Altman of Franklin High School
This legislation was filed in the Childrens Services category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT LEGISLATURE |
| 2 | Section 1) Terms in this Act will be defined as follows: |
| 3 | CPS-Child Protective Services |
| 4 | DCS- Department of Child Services |
| 5 | Class D felonies- carry possible sentences of 2 to 12 years in prison and fines up to $5,000 |
| 6 | Class E felonies- carry possible sentences of 1 to 6 years in prison and fines up to $3,000. |
| 7 | Class A misdemeanors- are the most serious types of misdemeanors. If convicted, there is jail |
| 8 | time of up to 11 months and 29 days, fines of up to $2,500, or both |
| 9 | Malnourishment-lack of proper nutrition |
| 10 | Class C felony-No less than three years nor more than 15 years in prison. In addition, the jury |
| 11 | may assess a fine not to exceed $10,000, unless otherwise provided by statute |
| 12 | |
| 13 | Section 2) If enacted, the intensity by which one will be punished for neglecting, abusing or |
| 14 | endangering a child will be increased |
| 15 | |
| 16 | Section 3) The law in TN currently states that when a person abuses, neglects or endangers a child |
| 17 | under the age of 18 they will be charged with a class A misdemeanor. However, if the child is |
| 18 | below the age of 8 they will be charged with a class E felony |
| 19 | |
| 20 | Section 4) Children have no means by which they can protect themselves. The proposed |
| 21 | amendment is that any person who abuses a child under the age of 16 resulting in physical or |
| 22 | mental harm or neglects a child under the age of 16 resulting in malnourishment or lack of shelter |
| 23 | will be charged with a class D felony. |
| 24 | |
| 25 | Section 5) A person who abuses or neglects a child of the ages of 16-18 will be charged with a |
| 26 | class E felony. |
| 27 | |
| 28 | Section 6) Any adult who knowingly endangers a child below the age of 16 will be charged with a |
| 29 | class E felony. |
| 30 | |
| 31 | Section 7) Any adult who knowingly endangers a child of the ages of 16-18 will be charged with a |
| 32 | class A misdemeanor. |
| 33 | |
| 34 | Section 8) If the neglect or abuse of a child results in death, the adult who acted upon the child |
| 35 | will be charged with a class C felony. |
| 36 | Section 9) All cases of child abuse, neglect or endangerment shall be reported to DCS or CPS. |
| 37 | Section 10) This act will require no funding from the state budget. |
| 38 | Section 11) All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. |
| 39 | Section 12) This act shall take effect immediately upon passage, the public welfare requiring it. |
| 40 |