Official records from the Tennessee Department of Correction

Tennessee Governor Signs HB1663 Allowing Death Penalty for Child Rapists in 77 to 19 Vote

Jun 17, 2024, 08:27 PM

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed a bill allowing the death penalty for convicted child rapists. The legislation, HB1663, was passed with a vote of 77 to 19, with all opposing votes coming from Democrats. The law, which takes effect on July 1, mandates the death penalty without any exemptions for those convicted of aggravated rape of a child. This bill was authored by William Lamberth, following a high-profile case involving an illegal alien accused of raping over 14 children in Franklin, Tennessee. The law will be enforced with no ifs, ands, or buts.