Plain English Breakdown
The official source material does not provide specific details about funding and local government expenses, which were speculative claims in the candidate explanation.
Expanding Protection for Correctional Officers and Probation Officers
This bill changes Tennessee law to include correctional officers working in county jails, state facilities, or private prisons, as well as probation or parole officers employed by the state's department of correction or a private company, under the definition of 'law enforcement officer' for assault laws.
What This Bill Does
- Expands the definition of 'law enforcement officer' to include correctional officers working in county jails, the state department of correction, or private prison contractors.
- Includes probation or parole officers employed by the state's department of correction or a private company under the definition of 'law enforcement officer'.
- Updates Tennessee Code Annotated to reflect these changes.
Who It Names or Affects
- Correctional officers working in county jails, state facilities, and private prisons.
- Probation or parole officers employed by the state's department of correction or a private company.
Terms To Know
- POST-certified
- A law enforcement officer who has completed training approved by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission.
- Law Enforcement Officer
- An individual authorized to enforce laws, including police officers, correctional officers, and probation or parole officers under this bill.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not specify how much funding will be provided for the increased costs of incarcerating offenders who assault these new categories of law enforcement officers.
- Local governments may face additional expenses if they are required to cover part or all of the cost increases without state support.