Plain English Breakdown
Checked against official source text during the last sync.
Juvenile Offenders Restitution Act
This bill requires parents or guardians of a child who commits a third or more delinquent act to pay restitution for expenses related to law enforcement involvement.
What This Bill Does
- Requires courts to order restitution from the parent, legal custodian, or guardian if a child is found guilty of a third or subsequent delinquent act.
- Sets minimum and maximum amounts for restitution orders based on whether the act would be considered a misdemeanor or felony if committed by an adult.
- Allows courts to waive restitution if the parent, legal custodian, or guardian cannot afford it and instead order them to do community service.
Who It Names or Affects
- Parents or guardians of children who commit delinquent acts in Tennessee.
- Law enforcement agencies involved in responding to and investigating juvenile crimes.
Terms To Know
- delinquent act
- An illegal action committed by a child under the age of majority, as defined by state law.
- restitution
- Money paid to make up for losses or damages caused by someone's actions.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill did not pass and was stopped in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- It is unclear how many parents or guardians would be affected by this law if it were enacted.