Tenn. Cracks Down on Bullies: Bill to Yank Driver’s Licenses For a Year Heads to Gov. Desk
NASHVILLE TN.
April 11, 2025
FOX17
Tenn. cracks down on bullies: Bill to yank driver’s licenses for a year heads to Gov. desk
A Tennessee bill suspending bullies’ driver’s licenses is headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature. (Still image from video provided by IIHS/HLDI)
HB1025 gives parents hope as bullying continues to be a problem.
It passed in the Senate on Wednesday, and previously in the House.
Lawmakers said it is a way to hold bullies accountable by taking away something they value.
Driving is a privilege, but Tennessee could very soon take that privilege away from those who are convicted of delinquent behavior like bullying or cyberbullying.
“I think anything that we can do to minimize bullying is a good option. Freedom for teenagers is a big deal. So having your car is huge, right?” said Brentwood parent Sarah Moore.
Moore told FOX 17 News her teen son was bullied in Middle School. She recalls those dark days.
“It was pretty depressive. It was not wanting to really be at school, or it’s finding your close friends, just so you at least had backup for the other kids that were making comments,” she said.
Tennessee Senator Adam Lowe and Representative Lowell Russell introduced legislation to get the bullies to stop.
“We just hope that it changes the lives of many young people. We hear all the time that people are bullied throughout their youth, and we hear them committing acts of violence or suicide, and we just hope that we cut down on that,” said Representative Russell.
How it works is if a child is arrested for bullying as a part of last year’s law, they will be taken to court.
There a judge decides to suspend their driver’s license for one year.
A first-time offender can get a restricted license only allowing students to go to school, work, or church.
If the bully is too young to drive, they will face the penalty once they reach the driving age.
“It definitely will put a little scare or fear, hopefully, of that child that’s doing it,” said Moore.
Representative Russell told FOX 17 News to combat retaliation from the bully, the judge can give them probation all the way up to throwing them in jail, which is already part of current law.
“But I hope the school officials can separate those two people,” said Russell.
At the end of the day, parents said this step is huge towards combating bullying.
They are hoping that Governor Lee signs this proposal into law.
