MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two juvenile crime bills proposed by Memphis Republican State Senator Brent Taylor passed in the state legislature and now awaiting Governor Bill Lee’s signature.
The so-called Juvenile Organized Retail Theft Act (SB2569/HB2126) allows youth ages 15 or older to be transferred to criminal court for stealing guns or for organized retail theft, such as smash-and-grab burglaries.
“We have too many juveniles out on our streets routinely committing crimes when they should be in school or at home,” said Taylor in a social media post about the bill. “This bill will hold parents accountable for the criminal acts of their children and incentivize parents to monitor their children and contact law enforcement if their child is missing or up to no good.”