Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
A bill allowing 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 passed by a 5-1 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
Senate Bill 227 (SB0227) is sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31).
“This bill is public safety bill that is in keeping with the Trump Administration’s renewed focus on illegal immigration,” Sen. Taylor said in committee. “Anyone who is a victim of a crime committed by an illegal alien, will have a private right of action against a non-profit that has assisted the illegal alien with housing in the community.”
For the purposes of this legislation, housing is defined as long-term living accommodations.
This includes assistance with obtaining or signing a lease for an apartment or rental home.
It does not include temporary overnight housing like homeless shelters or storm shelters.
“This bill does not prevent the NGO’s [nongovernmental organizations] from assisting illegal aliens if that’s their misguided core mission,” said Sen. Taylor, “but it does require them to be more vigilant in their vetting and supervising of illegal aliens.”
Republican Senators Bobby Harshbarger, Kerry Roberts, Paul Rose, Brent Taylor and Dawn White voted in favor of SB0227.
Democrat Sen. Sara Kyle voted against it.
Republican Sen. Todd Gardenhire marked himself as “present and not voting.”
SB0227 will now go to the Senate Calendar Committee to be scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor.
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.
