Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A bill that would extend the length of time that an individual is on the Tennessee Sex Offenders Registry was heard by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday and will be moving on to the full committee.
Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) introduced House Bill 1617 (HB1617). Current Tennessee law requires that a person who is classified as a “sexual offender” be listed on the Registry for a minimum of ten years after their criminal sentence is complete. The new legislation would extend that minimum to fifteen years.
Richey stated that 32% of individuals on the sex offender registry commit repeat offenses.
Representative Bud Hulsey questioned whether increasing the time on the registry was completely fair.
“There’s a percentage of people who reoffend and recommit but there’s another percentage of people who don’t,” Hulsey stated. “I cannot see where five more years on the list is really a benefit.”
Richey stated that the bill would extend the penalty but said, “I think we need to do everything we can to protect our precious children.”
Hulsey noted that he was “not an advocate of being soft on that. I just want it to be just.”
Representative G.A. Hardaway (D-Memphis-District 93) asked where Richey had gotten his data to determine the additional five years. Richey stated that the recommendation had come from his district attorney.
After going out of session to ask the representative of the District Attorney’s Conference for thoughts, he stated that the conference did not have a public decision at this time as they felt it was a policy decision for the legislative body.
Previous question was then called by Representative William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44) ending discussion on the legislation.
Chairman Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski-District 70) called for a voice vote. The bill passed the subcommittee with ayes prevailing. No one requested to be recorded as voting against the bill.
The bill will be sent to the Criminal Justice Committee.
Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17) sponsored the companion Senate Bill 2630 (SB2630) which has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
