Image Credit: Senator Brent Taylor / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31) is sponsoring legislation to allow charitable organizations to be held liable for damages of any criminal offense committed by an illegal immigrant who is receiving housing from that charitable organization.
Senate Bill 0227 (SB0227) was filed for introduction on Jan. 17th, 2025, and it would add the following subsection to Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-34-213:
“A charitable organization that provides housing to a person who the charitable organization knows is unlawfully present in the United States may be held liable for a loss, damages, injury, or death resulting from a criminal offense committed by the person who is unlawfully present in the United States while the person is receiving housing services from the charitable organization if the charitable organization’s conduct in providing housing constitutes negligence, gross negligence, or willful and wanton misconduct.”
This section of state law defines a “charitable organization” as “a charitable unit of a religious or civic group that is exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. § 501, including those supported wholly or partially by private donations and registered with the secretary of state.”
Currently, the code dictates that charitable organizations providing “services” including food, housing, or shelter from adverse weather, are not liable for loss, damages, injury, or death that results from providing those services.
This is the case, unless it is shown that the organization participated in “gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct” when providing those services.
If enacted, SB0227 would allow for circumstances in which charitable organizations could be held accountable for such criminal behavior, if the criminal is an illegal immigrant.
This legislation would take effect immediately upon becoming law.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. Adelia is The Tennessee Conservative’s on-site reporter for the Tennessee General Assembly. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
