Blackburn Introduces Bills to Combat Juvenile Crime and Crack Down on Carjacking

Blackburn Introduces Bills to Combat Juvenile Crime and Crack Down on Carjacking
May 2, 2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –
U.S. Senator
Marsha Blackburn
(R-Tenn.) introduced the
Advancing Frequent and Tailored Education to Rebuild Safe Communities and Help Orchestrate Opportunities and Learning
(AFTER SCHOOL) Act
and the
Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act
to reduce juvenile crime and crack down on carjacking by removing barriers to bringing federal prosecutions:
“We need to make it easier for law enforcement, local school districts, and federal prosecutors to combat and prevent juvenile crime, violent offenses, and carjackings,”
said Senator Blackburn.
“My AFTER SCHOOL Act would give localities direct access to the tools they need to keep kids off the streets and on the right path. At the same time, the Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act would fix a broken statute, empowering federal prosecutors to hold offenders accountable and make our streets safer for Tennesseans and all Americans.”
The
AFTER SCHOOL Act
is co-sponsored by U.S. Senator
Catherine Cortez Masto
(D-Nev.).
AFTER SCHOOL ACT
Violent crime among juveniles has been on the rise after decades of decline.
Much of the crime committed in Memphis is driven by juvenile offenders, who are
committing
more and more aggravated assaults, robberies, and carjackings against innocent city residents;
In 2023 Shelby County saw a staggering 4,546 juvenile charges, up 37% from 2021;
Nashville has experienced a
similar rise
in juvenile crimes;
The number of juveniles arrested in D.C. has
gone up
each year since 2020, with more than 2,000 arrested in 2023 and 2024.
The gap of time after school and before their parents get home is prime time for violent behavior among youth, and the four hours following the end of the school day (around 2:00 to 6:00 PM) is typically the peak of violent crime.
The
AFTER SCHOOL Act
would establish a grant program administered through the U.S. Department of Justice for localities to receive funds to establish, maintain, and strengthen after school programs proven to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.
School districts can apply for grant funds if their county’s juvenile offense rate exceeds 10% of total violent offenses.
The
Memphis City Council
previously
passed
a
resolution
in support of the
AFTER SCHOOL Act
.
Click
here
for a list of Tennessee officials and advocates who have previously endorsed the
AFTER SCHOOL Act.
Click
here
for bill text.
FEDERAL CARJACKING ENFORCEMENT ACT
Last year, Tennessee was
ranked
among the top ten states for motor vehicle thefts, and Tennessee saw a nearly 200% increase in auto theft crime by juveniles in 2023.
The current federal carjacking statute requires prosecutors to prove defendants had an “intent to cause death or bodily harm,” which has made it harder to bring federal carjacking prosecutions and accounts for the decrease in federal carjacking prosecutions in certain parts of the country.
The
Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act
would fix this drafting error by requiring prosecutors only have to prove the knowing taking of a motor vehicle.
In cases in which death results following a carjacking, the bill would maintain the higher “intent to cause death or bodily harm” requirement.
The
Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act
is endorsed by the
National District Attorneys Association (NDAA),
the
Major County Sheriffs of America,
the
National Association of Police Organizations
, and the
Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference.
“NDAA is proud to announce its support of the Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act. Carjacking is a violent crime that endangers lives, destabilizes communities, and threatens public safety. This legislation sends a clear message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated, while improving the current legal framework to protect victims and communities,”
said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of National District Attorneys Association.
“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) appreciates Senator Blackburn’s leadership in advancing this important legislation, which will empower law enforcement to more effectively combat carjackings, ensuring offenders are held accountable, and justice is served. We stand ready to support all efforts to move the bill forward,”
said Megan Noland, MCSA Executive Director.
“According to the Council on Criminal Justice, carjacking rates in 10 major U.S. cities increased 93% from 2019 to 2023. This substantial surge in carjackings poses a serious risk to public safety and we must ensure the perpetrators of this violent crime face justice. We stand with Senator Blackburn in support of this important change to the federal carjacking statute and thank her for her dedication to protecting public safety,”
said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations.
“Tennessee District Attorneys appreciate Senator Blackburn’s commitment to public safety, support for prosecutors and law enforcement, and her meaningful legislative leadership and efforts to reduce violent crime.  We are happy to partner with her to endorse and fully support this legislation that will protect Tennesseans,”
said
Stephen D. Crump, Executive Director, Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference.
Click
here
for bill text.
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/5/crime/blackburn-introduces-bills-to-combat-juvenile-crime-and-crack-down-on-carjacking