(NASHVILLE, TN), May 21, 2011 – Legislation sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) that attacks the growing problem of child prostitution and human trafficking in Tennessee was approved in last day action in the State Senate on Saturday. Senate Bill 64 would enhance penalties against those who patronize or promote the illegal act.
Approval of the bill comes after a recent joint operation between the FBI and the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Department resulted in the arrest of nine individuals for human trafficking. According to law enforcement, the women were lured from Mexico to East Tennessee with the promise of employment, but were forced into prostitution. In November, federal authorities broke up a human trafficking ring that provided underage prostitutes involving 29 Somali men and women with ties to outlaw gangs. According to the indictment, one of the intentions of those involved was to identify, recruit and obtain girls under age 14 for prostitution. The ring operated in Nashville, Minneapolis and Columbus, Ohio.
“These predators and criminal gangs target children because of their vulnerability, as well as the market demand for these young victims,” added Overbey. “That is why it is so important to strengthen penalties against those who exploit them. It is intolerable that in 2011, this crime is growing rather than decreasing. We must continue to take the steps needed to address it.”
“Passage of this legislation helps put Tennessee at the forefront of states in attacking this problem. It is sickening that human sex trafficking and child prostitution exist, and we must do all we can to eradicate these practices and those who promote, support and patronize them,” Sen. Overbey said. “I’m grateful that my Senate colleagues gave this measure their unanimous support.”
Currently, patronizing prostitution is a Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee, unless the crimes are committed within 100 feet of a church or 1.5 miles of a school, which is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor. The legislation would make patronizing prostitution from a person who is younger than 18 years of age or has an intellectual disability a Class E felony. Penalties for promoting prostitution would be increased from a Class E to a Class D felony when a minor is involved, under the bill. Additionally, the proposal specifies that if it is determined that a person charged with prostitution is under age 18, they would be immune from prosecution for prostitution and would be released to a parent or guardian after receiving information regarding resources available to put them on the right track.
(NASHVILLE, TN), May 11, 2011 – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) designed to attack the growing problem of child prostitution and human trafficking in Tennessee was approved Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 64 would enhance penalties against those who patronize or promote the illegal act, as well as gives law enforcement powers to impound a vehicle used in the commission of the offense.
Approval of the bill comes only days after a joint operation between the FBI and the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Department resulted in the arrest of nine individuals for human trafficking. According to law enforcement, the women were lured from Mexico to East Tennessee with the promise of employment, but were forced into prostitution. In November, federal authorities broke up a human trafficking ring that provided underage prostitutes involving 29 Somali men and women with ties to outlaw gangs. According to the indictment, one of the intentions of those involved was to identify, recruit and obtain girls under age 14 for prostitution. The ring operated in Nashville, Minneapolis and Columbus, Ohio.
“These predators and criminal gangs target children because of their vulnerability, as well as the market demand for these young victims,” added Overbey. “That is why it is so important to strengthen penalties against those who exploit them. It is intolerable that in 2011, this crime is growing rather than decreasing. We must continue to take the steps needed to address it.”
Currently, patronizing prostitution is a Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee, unless the crimes are committed within 100 feet of a church or 1.5 miles of a school, which is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor. The legislation would make patronizing prostitution from a person who is younger than 18 years of age or has an intellectual disability a Class E felony. Penalties for promoting prostitution would be increased from a Class E to a Class D felony when a minor is involved, under the bill. Additionally, the proposal specifies that if it is determined that a person charged with prostitution is under age 18, they would be immune from prosecution for prostitution and would be released to a parent or guardian after receiving information regarding resources available to put them on the right track.
The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Children and Youth heard testimony last fall from Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Assistant Special Agent in Charge Margie Quinn who said law enforcement agencies have seen a “dramatic increase” in the crime recently. Quinn said Tennessee’s proximity to Atlanta, which is the worst city in the nation, is likely a contributing factor.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that one in four children who run away are approached for commercial sexual exploitation within 48 hours of leaving home.
Above is the floor speech by Senator Overbey regarding Senate Bill 607 / HB 761
(NASHVILLE, TN), May 5, 2011 — Legislation requiring private insurance plans to include coverage of hearing aids for children was approved by the full Senate today by a vote of 19 to 13. Senate Bill 607, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Representative Richard Montgomery (R-Sevierville), requires that health insurance policies provide coverage of up to $1,000 per individual hearing aid per ear, every three years, for every child covered as a dependent by the policy holder.
“Insurance coverage for hearing devices is very important to help make them affordable so these children grow and learn,” said Senator Overbey. “There are many benefits to passing this legislation. If you provide hearing aids in early childhood, you save money for therapeutic services and medical treatment down the road. The true savings of allowing children to have hearing aids, however, is that they become active members of their school from day one.”
The bill now goes back to the House for approval of a minor amendment before it goes to the Governor for his signature.
(NASHVILLE, TN), April 26, 2011 — Legislation requiring private insurance plans to include coverage of hearing aids for children was approved by the Senate Finance Committee today. The bill, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Representative Richard Montgomery (R-Sevierville), requires that certain health insurance policies provide coverage of up to $1,000 per individual hearing aid per ear, every three years, for every child covered as a dependent by the policy holder.
“Hearing loss affects many children in Tennessee, impairing their ability to process information in school and at home,” said Senator Overbey. “This bill will provide some help for struggling families with the expense of getting these children hearing devices.”
Approval by the House Finance Committee is the last step before the bill is placed on the Senate floor calendar for a final vote. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 82 to 12.
“These are hard economic times for many Tennessee families,” added Overbey. “Insurance coverage for hearing devices is very important to help make them affordable so these children grow and learn. I am very pleased this bill has passed this key committee.”
(NASHVILLE), April 18, 2011 — Legislation strengthening efforts to ensure Tennessee has a strong financial literacy curriculum was approved by the full Senate on Monday night. Senate Bill 912, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission, to develop guidelines to strengthen personal finance standards and require that certain financial literacy concepts are included as part of the testing standards for social studies.
“This bill continues our efforts to ensure students have an early foundation in the basics of money management to help give them the tools they need to make good financial decisions that will positively impact their future,” said Senator Overbey. “Tennessee is at the top of the nation in the number of bankruptcies and this legislation is an important step in helping create opportunities to teach good financial practices early in life to get us back on the right track.”
Overbey sponsored legislation in 2006 that established a financial literacy curriculum as a means to satisfy a high school credit requirement and has since continued his efforts to promote financial literacy in middle and elementary grades in Tennessee. Last year, the General Assembly passed a law promoted by State Treasurer David Lillard to create an 11-member Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission (TNFLC) to establish a state clearinghouse of information, resources, and assistance for improving financial literacy.
The Commission has been working with financial literacy efforts like the Smart Tennessee initiative, which is a statewide program to integrate financial literacy into the existing K-12 curriculum. Financial support for that program is provided through a unique public/private partnership between the State of Tennessee and First Tennessee Foundation and is now providing financial literacy curriculum across the state.
This year’s legislation requires TNFLC to conduct a formal review of personal financial standards taught in grades K-8 and recommend revisions to the Department of Education and the State Board of Education. This includes recommending the best means to incorporate the personal finance concepts into existing standardized Social Studies testing for grades five and eight.
“The goal of the curriculum is to teach children how to make sound decisions about money as well as other life choices,” added Overbey. “In the long term, Tennessee should benefit, but more importantly this legislation will have a positive effect on the lives of these individual students and their families.”
There was something different about the community breakfast Sen. Doug Overbey attended Friday morning at First United Methodist Church, and the senator said it took a few moments for that difference to set in.
After all, as the representative from Blount and Sevier counties, there are a lot of breakfast gatherings on the Senator’s agenda.
This one, however, was in his honor.
Sen. Overbey said he was honored when he got the phone call last month telling him he had been chosen as the 2011 recipient of the Community Leadership Award from Leadership Blount. But the reality didn’t hit until he walked into the breakfast Friday morning, April 8.
“It has really been an overwhelming morning,” Sen. Overbey said. “It started when I walked through the door and saw everybody here. That generated a lot of emotion to see people here you respect and admire,” he said.
The senator said he was reminded of the Bible verse in Matthew where Jesus talks of “the least of these, my brethren,” and that was how he felt his position was in the presence of the community leaders and VIPs gathered for the Leadership Blount breakfast.
Katherine Best Caputo, executive director of Leadership Blount, praised Overbey for his service to the community and his willingness to help others. “Doug exemplifies what the Community Leadership Award is all about. Not only is he a leader in his profession, but he’s a public servant, and he’s a role model,” she said.
Caputo said society doesn’t give enough recognition to those who do good in society. “This is an opportunity to celebrate those who, day-in and day-out, make sacrifices and do the right thing for others,” she said.
Adriel McCord, chair of the board of directors for Leadership Blount, said Overbey has had longevity in the community, serving not only as a state senator and state representative, but also as a county commissioner. “In addition to his community service, he is a successful attorney and has done a lot of work with the Boys Scouts and with the high schools,” McCord said.
Friends from throughout the community turned out for the breakfast. Attorney Will Carver said there are many leaders in Blount County, but Overbey stands out. “I look up to Doug, not for what he has done but how he goes about doing the things he does,” Carver said. “He truly has a servant’s spirit.”
Sharon Hannum, chair of the Chamber Foundation, praised Overbey for being a statesman. “He cares not only about this county, but about the entire state of Tennessee,” she said.
Teri Brahms, executive director of Business and Community Services with Pellissippi State Community College, thanked Overbey for how he has served where they both attend services at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. “He has served as an usher, served on the vestry or wherever he’s needed as his schedule allows he will serve,” she said.
District 8 State Rep. Bob Ramsey and Rep. Art Swann presented Overbey with a proclamation honoring his work. Ramsey said Overbey’s commitment to the community is an inspiration to everyone. “It is such a pleasure to work with Doug. He’s such a humble person. Until I saw the proclamation we were drafting for him, I had no idea the extent of his volunteer work and service to non-profit organizations and agencies,” he said.
Edward Harper, senior services coordinator with Blount Memorial Hospital and lead singer with the band Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, said Overbey is a leader with energy. “Everywhere I go, he’s there before I get there, and he always has the welfare of the community at heart,” Harper said.
Bob Hirche, owner of ICMAS, an international contract firm based in Maryville, said, “Doug is and continues to be a positive influence in Blount and Sevier counties because of his deep personal commitment and involvement in the community.”
Brenda Sellers, president with Chroma Graphics, Inc., in Maryville, said Overbey was in the Leadership Blount Class of 2004 with her. “On behalf of the ‘Say No More’ Class of 2004, we’re proud of our graduate,” she said.
David Rader said he met Overbey when he was running for state representative, and they got to be good friends. “He’s the hardest working legislator I’ve ever known, and he’s a great friend,” Rader said.
One of the speakers at the breakfast was Shannon McCloud, executive director of Secret Safeplace for Newborns of Tennessee. Secret Safeplace is a non-profit organization that educates people about newborn surrender laws in Tennessee, and McCloud said Overbey was instrumental in getting that law passed in Tennessee. She praised his dedication to the community, then said that she has also gotten to know the “prankster” side of Overbey.
“I sometimes get phone calls from a guy who would like to surrender an adult child…a stray animal…a wife,” she said. “Doug doesn’t disguise his voice very well, but I always play along,” she said.
Rick Shepard, the 2010 Community Leadership Award recipient, drew laughter when he presented Overbey, a golfing buddy, with a homemade “Shepard Golf Outing Risk Kit” that consisted of a helmet with a flag on so that Shepard can see Overbey when he is ahead of him on a golf course, a flashing light, a weather radio, gripper wax, two golf balls with other people’s names on them in case he hits the ball through someone’s window and a Doug Overbey magnet campaign decal.
Shepard thanked Overbey for his work in the community. “Doug, this is a better place because of you. We’re glad you chose Blount County to raise your family and share your life with us,” he said. “I’m blessed to call you a friend and, unbeknownst to you, you are a lifelong mentor.”
“I am delighted that Governor-elect Haslam has reappointed Susan Whitaker as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. She has done an excellent job and is most deserving of the opportunity to remain in this position of importance. Tourism is a critical component of our state’s economy with a payroll generated by direct travel spending now reaching more than $5.3 billion. It is especially important to Sevier and Blount Counties in our 8th Senatorial District which heavily rely on tourism as an integral part of our economy. I congratulate Governor-elect Haslam for an excellent choice and look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Whitaker to enhance tourism in our state during the upcoming legislative session.”
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