Public Chapter 491

HOUSE BILL NO. 1404

By Representatives Buck, Stamps, Pleasant, Haley, Hargett, Beavers, Brooks, McDonald, Maddox

Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 1304

By Senator Cohen

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 2, relative to the aggravating circumstances required to impose the sentences of death or life without parole.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-13-204(i), is amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately numbered subpart:

( ) The victim of the murder was particularly vulnerable due to a significant handicap or significant disability, whether mental or physical, and at the time of the murder the defendant knew or reasonably should have known of such handicap or disability;

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 1997, the public welfare requiring it.