New laws scheduled to take effect in TN July 1

A number of new laws will go into effect in Tennessee next week, ranging from education to immigration and personal safety. A law known as the voucher expansion program will expand the Education Freedom Scholarship program. This will provide funding to families, which will help pay for students to attend private schools. Another law will allow state and local officials choose who will be able to serve on the boards of airport authorities. A third law will expand the circumstances in which a person can use deadly force to protect their property. The legislation says deadly force may be justified if someone believes it is immediately necessary to prevent certain crimes. Also new penalties for those who are unlawfully in the US operating commercial vehicles in the state and also for intentionally tampering with food, drinks, or medications to cause intoxication, injury, or death. Another forthcoming law will force Tennessee sheriff’s offices to enter into agreements with ICE. All these laws have been signed by Governor Bill Lee and will go into effect on July 1.