New Tennessee law strips teens of driving privileges if they are found guilty of bullying

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"Tennessee Law Revokes Driving Licenses for Teens Convicted of Bullying"

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A newly enacted law in Tennessee aims to address the issue of bullying among teenagers by revoking their driving privileges if they are found guilty of such behavior. This legislation, which took effect on Tuesday, permits courts to suspend the driver’s licenses of minors for up to a year in cases of bullying or cyberbullying. State Representative Lowell Russell, the bill's sponsor, emphasized that the impact of losing a driver's license could effectively capture the attention of young offenders. The law received strong bipartisan support, reflecting a collective recognition of the need to tackle bullying, which has become a significant concern in schools and communities. However, some critics argue that while the law is a step in the right direction, it may not adequately address the underlying causes of bullying behavior among teenagers.

The law also includes provisions for first-time offenders, allowing them to apply for a restricted driver's license that permits travel to essential locations such as school, work, or religious services. The application process for this restricted license requires teens to act swiftly, applying within ten days of the court ruling, paying a $20 fee, and passing driving tests, all while obtaining judicial approval for their driving permissions. Advocates like Scott Payne from Contact Care Line have praised the state’s initiative but stress the importance of addressing the root causes of bullying. Payne points out that bullies are often products of their environment and suggests that efforts should be made to understand the factors contributing to their behavior. He hopes that the new law will encourage individuals to seek help, framing it as a strength rather than a weakness, as Tennessee continues to build on previous legislative efforts aimed at combating bullying and its associated risks, including violence and suicide.

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A new Tennessee law aims to combat bullying by targeting teenagers where it may hurt the most: revoking their ability to drive. The legislation, which took effect Tuesday, allows courts to suspend for up to a year the driver’s licenses of minors found guilty of bullying or cyberbullying.

“I thought that the driver’s license piece would be pretty important to get their attention,” State Rep. Lowell Russell, who sponsored the bill, toldCNN’s affiliate WVLT.

The measure, which passed withoverwhelming bipartisan support, has been hailed by supporters as a step to address a pervasive problem. Meanwhile, some questions remain whether the law goes far enough to tackle the root causes of bullying.

The law allows some flexibility for first-time offenders.

Teens who lose their licenses may apply for a restricted one, allowing them to drive to everyday destinations such as school, work or church. However, the process involves several steps: teens must apply within 10 days of the court’s decision, pay a $20 application fee, meet age requirements, and pass necessary driving tests. They must then obtain judicial approval, which will specify exactly when and where they are permitted to drive.

“I think it’s great that the state is stepping up to try to do something about bullying,” Scott Payne, a manager for Contact Care Line, a Knoxville-based social services organization, told WVLT.

Still, Payne urged the need to consider measures that go beyond penalties.

“I would like to see, going forward, movement towards working with the bullies,” he said. “Bullies aren’t just born. They don’t just pop up. They’re products of their environment. So we need to be talking with them and finding out what’s going on in their lives that’s bringing about this type of behavior from them.”

The new legislation builds on Tennessee’s previous efforts to combat bullying. In 2024, lawmakers clarifiedthe state’s definitionsof bullying and cyberbullying, aiming to prevent the violence and suicides often linked to these behaviors.

“I certainly hope it’s a move that helps people seek help,” Payne said. “Seeking help is a strength, not a weakness.”

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Source: CNN