16 May 2024 :
May 9, 2024 - Tennessee. Gov. Lee Signs Legislation That Allows Death Penalty For Child Rape Cases In Tennessee
On May 9th Governor Bill Lee signed House Bill 1663 / Senate Bill 1834 into Tennessee law. In summary, the legislation “authorizes the death penalty as a punishment for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, or especially aggravated rape of a child.”
In the House, the bill, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth (R), passed on April 22nd with 77 Ayes, 19 Nays, and 1 PNV.
In the Senate, SB1834 was sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson (R), where it passed in early April.
Under current state law, a person convicted of aggravated rape of a child must be sentenced to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole. This legislation adds the death penalty as “another option” for punishment for these crimes.
Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis enacted a similar bill nearly a year ago.
Idaho's GOP-controlled House approved similar legislation earlier this year, but the proposal eventually stalled in the similarly Republican-dominated Senate.
https://tennesseeconservativenews.com/gov-lee-signs-legislation-that-allows-death-penalty-for-child-rape-cases-in-tennessee/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/tennessee-ap-nashville-ron-desantis-republican-b2545035.html