Our bills would assure civil rights protections for all Tennesseans
The Volunteer State has a proud tradition of demonstrating leadership in the quest to protect civil liberties and ensure equal access for all. Our efforts have resonated nationwide. It was 105 years ago when the Tennessee General Assembly provided the 36th and final vote needed to ratify the 19th Amendment, giving millions of women the right to vote.
Tennessee was the epicenter of student-led nonviolent sit-ins in the 1960s, where brave Black Americans risked their safety to desegregate lunch counters.
In more recent years, Tennessee has expanded access to higher education for all by becoming the first state in the nation to offer free community college to high school graduates and returning adults.
We've stood firm on religious liberties, protecting the rights of churches and faith-based organizations to operate according to their beliefs. And at a time when voting rights are under attack in other states, Tennessee leads the nation with its commitment to election integrity and ability to balance greater access with accountability.
The list goes on, but what makes Tennessee truly remarkable is our ongoing commitment to shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and exercise their rights.
As the sponsors of Senate Bill 861/House Bill 910, our goal is straightforward: to ensure all Tennesseans have access to efficient, effective protection against discrimination. The bill simply transfers the enforcement of the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) to the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, a structural change that will better serve citizens experiencing discrimination.
We condemn discrimination in all forms. That is why we have ensured our legislation preserves every substantive protection of the THRA. While maintaining current protections, the bill expands these safeguards by adding discrimination in education as a prohibited practice and establishes a civil penalty for malicious harassment. Every Tennessean deserves robust protection from discrimination, and our commitment to this principle remains unwavering.
This bill increases government efficiency by streamlining the complaint and enforcement process, directly connecting those who experience discrimination with the state's chief legal office, who can forcefully advocate on their behalf.
If a citizen is unhappy with how their case is being handled, their individual right to sue is preserved.
We strive to strengthen the enforcement of our civil rights laws while making the process more accessible and effective for all Tennesseans. Our message is clear: If you violate civil rights in Tennessee, you will be held accountable.
The Tennessee Attorney General's Office has the capability and experience to enforce the THRA effectively. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has a notable background in civil rights enforcement. During his tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Memphis's Civil Rights Unit, he prosecuted significant civil rights cases, including racially motivated violence and religiously targeted hate crimes.
His work prosecuting the leaders of the Aryan Alliance for the firebombing of a Tennessee mosque, along with his role in securing justice for a law enforcement officer murdered in a racially motivated attack, highlights his unwavering commitment to protecting the civil rights of Tennesseans.
This dedication earned Skrmetti the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service – one of the Department of Justice's highest honors – and other awards, including the Civil Rights Division's first-ever Victim Rights Award.
As attorney general, he has been active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans. His office has taken on some of the most powerful opponents in the country, including BlackRock, Google, and even the federal government – and won. We are confident he will be equally active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans from illegal discrimination.
The protection of civil rights transcends political differences. All Tennesseans deserve equal protection under the law and a system that resolves discrimination claims efficiently and effectively. House Bill 910/Senate Bill 861 represents a thoughtful progression in how our state upholds these fundamental rights.
Ultimately, this legislation is about deterring discrimination and expediting justice for Tennesseans when it happens. By entrusting enforcement to the Attorney General's Office, with its established legal expertise and resources, we will continue our legacy of civil rights leadership and provide Tennesseans with more timely, effective protection against discrimination.
John Stevens is an attorney from Huntingdon. He represents District 24 of the Tennessee State Senate, which includes Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Houston, Obion, Stewart, and Weakley counties.
Johnny Garrett is an attorney from Goodlettsville. He represents District 45 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Sumner County.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Our bills boost civil rights protections for all Tennesseans | Opinion
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