Each year, legislators from all states introduce proposed bills in an effort to better their particular state, and Tennessee is no different. Throughout legislative sessions, proposed bills are introduced among a wide range of topics, including healthcare, motor vehicles, watercraft, child custody, drug offenders, constitutional rights, firearms, public contracts, taxes, and real estate. Through the voting procedures of the state, many of these bills get signed into law. In Tennessee, more than 150 bills became law effective July 1, 2018. Here is a summary of all of the new Tennessee laws. Below are a few that apply specifically to public safety:
- Boating laws – Bill SB1335 affects boating across Tennessee’s bodies of waters, including numerous lakes where people like to enjoy holidays. One new requirement is that any Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989 must obtain a boating education certificate before renting a boat. If a resident from another state wishes to rent a boat in Tennessee, that individual must present a boating education certificate from his or her home state.
- Proof of motor vehicle registration – Bill SB0727 will now allow people to show evidence of proper title and registration of their motor vehicle via electronic formats. These formats could include cell phones or similar electronic devices such as tablets.
- Opioids – Tennessee is no stranger to the opioid crisis that is plaguing other states and the nation as a whole. As of July 1, 2018, doctors who prescribe these drugs will face more strict rules/guidelines and checkpoints before being able to prescribe a long-term treatment plan of opioids. The law will be known as Tennessee Together, and Governor Bill Haslam included a budget of over $30 million in federal and state funding for this purpose. Specifically, this law requires doctors to specifically document the medical reasons for prescribing a patient with opioids and limits typical prescriptions to 10 days for general reasons, 20 days for post-surgery, and 30 days for a “medical necessity.” This law is likely a reaction to the horrifying statistics of abuse, overdose, and death caused by these dangerous prescription drugs.
- Corporal punishment – effective now, schools will not be able to administer corporal punishment against students with disabilities, specifically those with an IEP or Section 504 plan.
Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz is the largest Tennessee-based plaintiff’s personal injury law firm, handling all areas of injury and accident law such as car accidents, truck accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, workers’ compensation, negligent security, and Social Security Disability. For more than 25 years, we have served people throughout all parts of Tennessee, including cities like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, and more. To speak with a dedicated personal injury attorney in your area today, call us at 800-529-4004 or fill out our confidential online form.