MEMPHIS, Tenn — Representative John Gillespie of Memphis has introduced a bill to the Tennessee State Legislature that would punish parents when their children repeatedly commit crimes.
The proposal comes as City of Memphis data shows juvenile charges were up 30 percent in late 2023 compared to late 2022.
The District 97 state representative called the crime problem “out of control.”
“We’ve had people that have been car-jacked by 12-year-olds all the way up to people right on the cusp of turning 18,” Rep. Gillespie said.
House Bill 1930, known as the Parental Accountability Act, would require the parents or legal guardians of a child who is found delinquent in juvenile court for a second time or more, to pay a fine of $1,000 on top of the child's punishment.
“We can incarcerate them, we can try to educate them,” Rep. Gillespie said. “But what it comes down to is, a lot of these kids that have family members, parents either turning a blind eye or just not paying attention, for a variety of reasons, to what their kids are doing. This is an attempt to hold them responsible.”
But Memphis parents said they're concerned it could end up hurting responsible families.
“Some parents don’t be active in their life, so they should be held accountable for what that child is doing, but not like that, though," said father of four DeAndre Perkins.
There is also the fear it could disproportionately impact a low-income households.
“They take $1,000 from the parent of a troubled child, $9,999 is going to go in some politician’s pocket,” said Memphis father Leo LaClair.
Rep. Gillespie counters that this is part of a parent’s responsibility.
“The only reason this would be happening is because you’re not paying attention to your children,” he said.
But Perkins worries the law, if implemented, could make problems within families worse.
“That could probably bring them closer together,” he said. “But then again, it could tear them apart even more.”
Built into the proposed bill is a provision that would give the option for community service for parents/guardians who can prove they cannot afford to pay the fine.
The senate version of this bill (SB 2571) was filed and introduced on Wednesday.