Marsy’s Law passes in TN Senate

JACKSON, Tenn. — Amid National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Marsy’s Law recently passed in the state senate.

The law protects crime victims, ensuring they have rights in the judicial process, including the right to be notified about past and present proceedings, and to have their safety and the safety of their family considered.

Bonnie Brezina, state director of Marsy’s Law for Tennessee, said the last time our state has had legislation done like this was in 1998 and Tennesseans voted to include specific rights for crime victims in our state’s constitution.

Brezina said it was a great achievement for the pro-victim movement at the time, but inclusion alone does not guarantee enforcement of those rights.

“To ensure that the victims have those rights that are legally enforceable, Marsy’s Law as it is provides recourse to victims whose rights have been violated and so by passing it we can make good on Tennessee’s complete clear intention to guarantee victims rights that they deserve,” said Brezina.

The bill now goes to the house to be voted on.

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