Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill carried by a House Republican and Senate Democrat correcting a loophole in current law which allows potentially innocent third parties to be charged with criminal responsibility in certain felony cases unanimously passed through two House committees on Tuesday and will now receive a full vote by both chambers of the legislature.
Per its summary, HB1372 by Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2) “removes the killing of another committed in the perpetration of or attempt to perpetrate certain crimes from the elements of first degree murder, deletes the offense of criminal responsibility for conduct of another, and deletes the offense of criminal responsibility for the facilitation of a felony.”
Rep. Hulsey explained during the House Civil Justice Subcommittee, “If a girlfriend loans her boyfriend a car and he takes the car and goes down and robs a convenience store, the way the existing statute is written it’s possible to charge the girlfriend with criminal responsibility in this particular crime. All this bill does is says there has to be intent to benefit for her to be charged with criminal responsibility as a third party.”
After his explanation, there were no questions or comments from committee members and the body unanimously voted 9-0 in favor of sending the legislation to the full House Judiciary Committee, which heard the bill later Tuesday afternoon.
The Judiciary Committee also showed unanimous bipartisan support for the bill, voting 19-0 to refer the bill to the House Calendar & Rules Committee to be given a date for a full floor vote.
In the Senate, SB1170 carried by Democrat Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis-District 29) has also seen nearly unanimous success, being passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in an 8-1 vote on March 25. Republican Sen. Bobby Harshbarger was the only “No” vote. SB1170 is currently awaiting a floor date for a vote from the Senate Calendar Committee.
If you support this legislation, you can use this tool to find contact information for your Representative and Senator.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
