Legislation would require notification of DUI-related teen deaths

The bill sponsored by Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee and is headed to the Senate floor. The companion bill remains in a House subcommittee.

The legislation requires the Department of Safety to submit monthly reports to the Department of Education regarding DUI-related deaths of persons 18 years or younger.

The bill would also have the commissioner of education formulate guidelines for school districts to use in developing the reports that will inform students of such deaths.

Cohen said the information — which would include personal information about the victim and family members left behind — might be given during home room or an assembly.

“I want to paint a picture of the student so they can see that a real life has been taken,” Cohen said. “If done right, it could save some lives.”

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On the Net:

See SB2685 at Tennessee Legislature: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/