Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) received a bill on his desk Thursday that would issue fines to the parents of children upon committing their second crime in Tennessee.
Parents would be liable for a $1,000 fine besides any monetary damages issued by a court for a second offense and every offense afterward. The Parental Accountability bill passed with only five Democratic senators voting against it, 22 Democratic representatives voting against it, and two Republican representatives opposing it as well.
It is anticipated to draw $122,000 in state revenue each year. Already, there was a law in place that fined parents at least $250 if their child committed a misdemeanor or at least $500 if they committed a felony. This update applies to all crimes and makes the maximum fine $1,000. Parents, legal guardians, and the like can also opt to perform community service in lieu of the fine.
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. reported a near overflow of 113 suspects in juvenile detention in his facility, which has a capacity of 146, but has the staff to oversee 60 at one time. The youngest detainee is 13 years old.
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“If I had to pick up trash all day because of something that my child had done and I had to go along the interstate and my friends, loved ones, neighbors saw me picking up trash because of something that my son had done, I think I would pay a little bit more attention,” Bonner said of the new legislation.
This comes after the Tennessee Congress passed a controversial bill allowing teachers to carry guns. As a result, protesters stormed the state House floor in protest.
