Legislative Update from AWAKE Tennessee

AWAKE Tennessee needs your help promoting two bills this week…

The Advocate Confidentiality Bill will be heard on the Senate floor Tuesday evening. Click here for a list of talking points. These Senators in particular need to hear from you about this legislation.

sen.raumesh.Akbari@capitol.tn.gov
sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov
sen.janice.bowling@capitol.tn.gov
sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov
sen.heidi.campbell@capitol.tn.gov
sen.rusty.crowe@capitol.tn.gov
sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
sen.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov
sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov
sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov
sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov
sen.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov
lt.gov.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov
sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov
sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov
sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov
sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov
sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov
sen.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov
sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov
sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov
sen.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov
sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov
sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov

The Child Exploitation Bill is set for discussion by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 16 at 3 PM and by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 17. Talking points are available here; sample messaging is below:

I am writing to you today as a thoughtful and concerned Tennessee constituent and I urge you to support HB1346/SB1227.  

This bill would create clarity around the ability to charge an individual for Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Production of Child Pornography) by changing part of the definition of “sexual activity” in the child exploitation statutes to include the subjective intent of the accused.  This language update will allow intentional recordings of minors in a state of undress to be charged as production of child pornography when the accused made the recording for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification of himself or another like-minded person.

I am strongly in favor of this bill because this minor change will provide more protection for the children in our community from individuals who secretly record children for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. This protection is especially important in a moment where virtual recording and communications are more prevalent due to precautions in place for Covid-19.

As a member of the General Assembly, I ask you to please support the Child Exploitation Bill.

Mike Bell	R	sen.mike.bell@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-1946
Dawn White	R	Sen.Dawn.White@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-6853
Paul Rose	R	sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-1967
Todd Garenhire	R	sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-6682
Sara Kyle	D	sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-4167
Jon Lundberg	R	Sen.Jon.Lundberg@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-5761
Kerry Roberts	R	sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-4499
Katrina Robinson	D	Sen.Katrina.Robinson@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-2509
John Stevens	R	sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov	(615) 741-4576