Lawmakers propose amendment to strengthen rights of crime victims
State Sen. John Stevens of Huntingdon and state Rep. Patsy Hazlewood of Signal Mountain want to ensure that victims of crime have equal, constitutional rights on the same level as those accused and convicted of crimes.
That’s why they are introducing an amendment this legislative session to strengthen the rights of crime victims in Tennessee’s state Constitution. Hazlewood took the first step by introducing House Joint Resolution 44, known as Marsy’s Law.
“It is critical that we continue to fight for Tennessee’s most vulnerable, especially at a time when crime is rising and so many are suffering,” Hazlewood said.
“Under current law, the rights of victims are not always enforced. Marsy’s Law would guarantee victim protections in the state’s most-powerful legal document.”
More than 20 years ago, 89-percent of Tennesseans voted to give crime victims the rights they deserve by adopting a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights.
The bill presented by Stevens and Hazlewood would update the current language to spell out clear, enforceable rights and protections for victims in our state Constitution.
If passed in two consecutive legislative sessions and signed by the governor, the constitutional amendment guaranteeing these protections would be placed on the 2026 ballot for voters to consider.