Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –
House Bill 1663 (HB1663), “As introduced, authorizes the death penalty as a punishment for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, or especially aggravated rape of a child. – Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Chapter 1062 of the Public Acts of 2022.”
This bill is scheduled to be heard by the full Criminal Justice Committee in the Tennessee House of Representatives on January 30, 2024.
As previously reported by The Tennessee Conservative, the bill’s sponsor, William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44,) was quoted as saying in regard to HB 1663, “I don’t take this bill lightly, this is something that came from years of analysis and conversation in my community… we’re going to protect our children in the state of Tennessee. If someone rapes one of our children, they are forfeiting their own life, period, end of story, and let it go out far and wide, that if this passes, we will fight this all the way through the court system and to the US Supreme Court, so that hopefully every state in the union has the ability again to set the penalties in their own state.”
Discussion of the bill in subcommittee revealed bi-partisan support with only Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville-District 90) choosing to be recorded in the voice vote as voting NO.
As the bill moves forward, you can voice your support or opposition to HB1663 by contacting the members of the House Criminal Justice Committee listed below prior to their scheduled meeting on January 30, 2024.
Bud Hulsey (R-chair) – rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2886
John Gillespie (R) – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8201
Michele Carringer (R) – rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1721
Elaine Davis (R) – rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2287
Clay Doggett (R) – rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7476
Andrew Farmer (R) – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419
Monty Fritts (R) – rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
Ronnie Glynn (D) – rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2043
G.A. Hardaway (D) – rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5625
Dan Howell (R) – rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7799
Gloria Johnson (D) – rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2031
William Lamberth (R) – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980
Debra O. Moody (R) – rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3774
Lowell Russell (R) – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736
Joe Towns, Jr. (D) – rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2189
Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com
