Jonah Patel
Tennessee's House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee is responsible for advancing bills, such as Bud Hulsey's truth-in-sentencing legislation. The Constitution of Tennessee guarantees the rights of victims, including the right to be present at all proceedings, the right to be heard, the right to be informed, the right to a speedy trial, the right to restitution, and the right to be informed of each of the rights established for victims. In 2014, voters approved an amendment that overturned a 2000 Tennessee Supreme Court ruling on abortion, and also banned income tax on earned income, changed the judiciary selection/retention process, and allowed veterans organisations to host gambling fundraisers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To vote on legislation regarding sentencing and constitutional protections |
| Example legislation | Truth-in-sentencing bill |
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What You'll Learn
Truth-in-sentencing bill
Tennessee state Rep. Bud Hulsey’s latest truth-in-sentencing legislation advanced on a voice vote in the House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee. The bill limits the prohibition of sentence reduction credits to persons convicted of three types of violent felonies. It also authorises those inmates to continue to earn sentence reduction credits but specifies that these credits will not reduce the inmates’ release eligibility dates but rather will apply toward the expiration of the inmates’ sentence.
State Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville, noted that sometimes bills have to advance in subcommittees to start getting attention. He told lawmakers:
> I just ask my colleagues that if you’re for his bill and think it is a good idea, you just may need to get some attention to his bill.
According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, 31.4% of offenders will re-offend within one year of their release. The department also says the average operating cost per offender per day is currently $73.18. Standard offenders, under Tennessee law, serve at least 30% of their sentence. Career offenders serve 60%.
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Victims' rights
The House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee in Tennessee is responsible for overseeing and advancing legislation related to sentencing and constitutional protections. For example, in 2022, the subcommittee advanced State Rep. Bud Hulsey's truth-in-sentencing bill, which limits the prohibition of sentence reduction credits to persons convicted of three types of violent felonies.
- The right to be present at all proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present.
- The right to be heard at all critical stages of the criminal justice process, as defined by the General Assembly.
- The right to be informed of all proceedings and of the release, transfer, or escape of the accused or convicted person.
- The right to a speedy trial and a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction or sentence.
- The right to restitution from the offender.
- The right to be informed of each of the rights established for victims.
The General Assembly has the authority to enact and protect these rights, and victims in Tennessee also have the right to seek restitution from the offender. Additionally, victims' rights organisations can lobby the subcommittee to advance bills that support their interests.
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Abortion rights
The House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee in Tennessee is responsible for advancing legislation on sentencing. In 2022, for example, it advanced a truth-in-sentencing bill proposed by State Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport.
Tennessee's constitution does not secure or protect a right to abortion, nor does it require the funding of abortions. In 2014, voters approved an amendment to the state's constitution that explicitly stated this. This amendment overturned a 2000 Tennessee Supreme Court ruling, Planned Parenthood v. Sundquist, which had presumably protected abortion rights in the state.
The 2014 amendment also allows the people of Tennessee to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion through their elected state representatives and state senators. This means that the state legislature has the power to create and change laws about abortion, including in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.
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Judiciary selection/retention process
The House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee is a subcommittee in Tennessee. In 2014, voters approved an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution that changed the judiciary selection/retention process to make the Tennessee Plan explicitly constitutional.
The Tennessee Constitution guarantees several rights to victims of crime, including the right to be present at all proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present, the right to be heard at all critical stages of the criminal justice process, the right to be informed of all proceedings and of the release, transfer, or escape of the accused or convicted person, the right to a speedy trial and a prompt conclusion of the case after conviction or sentence, and the right to restitution from the offender. The General Assembly has the authority to enact laws to define, implement, preserve, and protect these rights.
The Tennessee Department of Correction reports that 31.4% of offenders will re-offend within one year of their release. Standard offenders under Tennessee law serve at least 30% of their sentence, while career offenders serve 60%.
In 2022, State Rep. Bud Hulsey's truth-in-sentencing legislation advanced in the House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee. The bill limits the prohibition of sentence reduction credits to persons convicted of three types of violent felonies. It also authorises those inmates to continue earning sentence reduction credits, but specifies that these credits will not reduce the inmates' release eligibility dates but will instead apply towards the expiration of their sentence.
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Offender release and reoffending
According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, 31.4% of offenders will reoffend within one year of their release. The department also says the average operating cost per offender per day is currently $73.18. Standard offenders, under Tennessee law, serve at least 30% of their sentence. Career offenders serve 60%.
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Frequently asked questions
The House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee is a subcommittee in Tennessee's House of Representatives.
The subcommittee votes on bills, such as the truth-in-sentencing bill proposed by State Rep. Bud Hulsey in 2022.
The bill advanced on a voice vote in the House Constitutional Protections and Sentencing Subcommittee.
The legislation had a $37 million fiscal impact.
