(NASHVILLE, TN) October 14, 2011 – The Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) today honored State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) with their 2011 Outstanding Legislator Award. The top legislative honor was awarded to Overbey at a statewide meeting of the organization at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, Tennessee.
“Senator Overbey is being honored for his accomplishments as a legislator, his willingness to listen and his openness and accessibility,” said TNA Executive Director Sharon Atkins, MSN, RN. “When contacted by nurse constituents, he is always quick to respond and take the time to listen to what is being said. He has thoughtfully and adeptly considered advanced issues related to health and healthcare in Tennessee. The Tennessee Nurses Association appreciates the opportunity to partner with him to improve healthcare by supporting a robust practice of professional nursing in the state.”
“I am very honored to receive this award,” said Senator Overbey. “Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. I look forward to continuing to work with the state’s nurses to improve the quality of healthcare for our citizens and to bring innovative new solutions to the issues we face in our state.”
(NASHVILLE, TN), June 9, 2011 – State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) was recently recognized in a state business and political publication as one of the most effective legislators of the 2011 session. The Tennessee Journal gave kudos to Senator Overbey in their “Legislator of the Year” section by saying he “routinely handles complicated legislation with skill and courtesy.” They specifically pointed out that Overbey, “for the second year in a row sponsored the hospital coverage assessment to avoid steep TennCare cuts.”
The Tennessee Journal is a weekly insider’s newsletter on Tennessee government, politics & business that has reported on the General Assembly since 1975.
“He also was in the thick of the tort reform issue,” the article, entitled The envelope, please: Honoring legislature’s winners, losers continued. “He pushed for changes in the governor’s bill, didn’t get everything he wanted, but voted for it in the end.”
Other lawmakers recognized for playing a major role in the work of the 2011 session were Senator Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga), Representative Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) and Representative Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley).
(NASHVILLE, TN), May 25, 2011 – Before adjourning the 2011 legislative session on Saturday, the Tennessee General Assembly approved two strong anti-crime bills sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), including legislation closing a loophole in state law that has allowed sexual predators to escape prosecution on a technicality. Senate Bill 69, adds wording to Tennessee law to ensure that law enforcement posing as minors can be used to prosecute cases where sexual predators use electronic means to solicit those under the age of 18. The companion bill in the House, House Bill 154, was sponsored by Rep. Bob Ramsey (R-Maryville).
“Law enforcement should have the ability to conduct an operation to catch sexual predators who prey on our children here in Tennessee,” said Senator Overbey. “This bill closes the loophole in state law to ensure these predators are prosecuted regardless of the mode of communication they use to solicit a child.”
Currently it is a Class E felony for a person, 18 years of age or older, to intentionally persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity by electronic communication, mail or Internet service, or to display pornographic material through these means. If the minor is less than 13 years of age, a violation is a Class C felony.
“Our laws must keep up with the new technology used by sexual predators every day in America to victimize children,” added Overbey. “This legislation closes the loophole so our law enforcement officers can successfully prosecute offenders of this terrible crime.”
The General Assembly also approved Senate Bill 1456, sponsored by Overbey, to authorize judges to allow a district attorney to use a wiretap when the interception may provide evidence of a criminal gang-related activities. Currently, wiretap authority is only allowed when criminal homicide or drug felonies are involved. This legislation would also add home invasions to the list of gang-related activities where a wiretap may be authorized.
“Criminal gangs are present in many communities in our state, as too many citizens live under constant threat of home invasion by these groups,” added Overbey. “This bill will give law enforcement the opportunity to work on the preventative end of this crime and hopefully deter burglaries and the more serious threat of bodily harm to the victims in their own homes at the hands of these gangs.”
(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 19, 2011 – Governor Bill Haslam signed legislation this week requiring private insurance plans to include coverage of hearing aids for children. Senate Bill 607, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) 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 hospitalization down the road. The true savings of allowing children to have hearing aids, however, is that they become active members of their school day one.”
“I am very pleased this bill has become law,” added Senator Ketron. “No child should have to go through life without hearing, especially when there is a medical device available to help them.”
“This bill has been of great importance to many of us,” added Representative Montgomery. “Hearing is critical to the development of a child. This new law will help many children have an opportunity to receive a hearing device for both their own personal success and to become productive citizens of Tennessee.”
(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.
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