What may be in store for Tennesseans as lawmakers begin 2020 legislative session.

The 111th Tennessee General Assembly began the 2020 legislative session this Tuesday, January 14th, kicking off what is expected to be several months filled with debate on hot-button issues such as criminal justice reform, adoption and same-sex couples, and abortion. Though it is only the first day of the session, some lawmakers have already proposed legislation.

GOP Governor Bill Lee says he is focused on criminal justice reform for this 2020 session, his second while in office, and will soon release is specific initiative wish list.

The first bill that is to be debated in the Senate is a proposal in which faith-based adoption agencies would be allowed to deny placement with same-sex couples because of their religious beliefs, without the agency facing penalties. Although the bill moved through the House last year, it was pushed back to 2020 to be decided by the Senate.

Some other notable proposals that have been submitted:

Marijuana legalization by county.

HB 1610 by Knoxville Rep. Rick Staples(D) would give authority to counties to hold a referendum election to legalize the growing, manufacture, delivery, and retail sale of marijuana within a county’s borders.

This bill would decriminalize possession of small amounts statewide, and allow for a “marijuana related business” in the county for growth, processing, manufacturing, delivery, and sale.

Under this bill, an election would take place if the majority of a county’s legislative body voted in favor of the referendum election, or if the county’s legislative body receives a signed petition from ten or more percent of the county’s qualified voters.

Tennessee Anti-Lunch Shaming Act

HB 1589 by Nashville Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D) is a proposal to prevent public schools from “shaming” students who cannot afford to pay for a lunch. This bill states that any public school or local educational agency that receives state financial assistance, would be forced to provide a USDA reimbursable meal to any student that asks for one. This will prevent schools from forcing a student to throw away a meal due to inability to pay, or an existing school lunch debt.

Even if a student accrues five or more lunch debts throughout the year, the schools will be prevented from addressing it directly with the student either through communications or actions such as publicly identifying the student by forcing the student to wear a wristband or hand stamp to set them apart from other students, or providing the student with a different meal. These public schools would also be prohibited from forcing students to do work to pay for the meals, or excluding the student from any school related activities such as receiving a diploma or participating in a graduation ceremony.

Any discussion about meal debts would have to be taken up directly with the student’s parents, as it would also be prohibited to send a letter home with the student regarding debt. As part of the bill, schools will also be asked to help parents fill out meal applications when the student accrues five or more meal debts.

Juvenile Crime

Clarksville Senator Bill Powers (R) submitted two bills that targets offenders under 14. Under SB 1581, a child under 14 could be tried as an adult for rape, rape of a child, and aggravated rape of a child.

SB 1582, Powers’ second bill proposal, would permit judges to force a juvenile charged with certain violent sex offenses, to register as a violent juvenile sex offender if the act was committed at the time the juvenile was less than 14 years of age.

Paying County Commissioners

Maryville Rep. Jerome Moon (R) submitted HB 1597 which would allow county legislators to earn a base salary or compensation greater than what they currently receive. The county would be allowed to adopt a resolution that would pay members of a commission or legislative body a greater amount than the daily minimum some are paid for attending meetings.

Jail Searches

Sponsored by Rep. Jay D. Reedy and Sen. Bill Powers, HB 1589/ SB 1583 would allow law enforcement to search vehicles of jail visitors without a warrant. The sheriff would be required to post notice of this in easily seen areas such as the entrance and exits of parking lots, making visitors aware of the policy. The signs must specifically state ALL VEHICLES PARKED IN THE VISITOR PARKING LOT ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH WITHOUT A WARRANT.”

Equal Pay

Rep. John Ray Clemmons also submitted HB 1588 also known as the “Tennessee Pay Equality Act.” This bill would notify employers that they cannot discriminate employees wages based on sex. However, a difference in pay may be a result of a system based on merit, seniority, or one that measures the quality of work and quantity of production.

This bill would also make changes to workplaces by allowing employees to discuss their own pay, or another employee’s pay, and employers would no longer be able to discipline employees for discussing wages with other employees.