NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One Tennessee senator is pushing a bill that would work to curb juvenile violent crime through after-school programs.
The After School Act, sponsored by TN Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), would establish grants for school districts with high juvenile crime rates and non-profits to create and strengthen after-school programs across the country.
"After-school programs have the proven effect of keeping youth crime low and keeping our young kids out of trouble," Sen. Blackburn said.
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According to the U.S. Dept. of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 64% of juvenile crime occurs during school days, peaking in the hours immediately following school being let out.
Davidson County Juvenile Court Judge, Sheila Calloway, previously told News 2 how easily children can get into trouble without engaging activities.
"If they have idle time and they don't have productive things to do, they can find some negative influences, and negative things to do," Judge Calloway said.
According to the Afterschool Alliance, for every one Tennessee child enrolled in an after-school program, three more are on a waitlist. The After School Act would help expand after-school programs in order to meet the demand in the state.
Earlier this year, Memphis City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the After School Act.
"This act will provide grants to communities with high rates of juvenile crime which will fund after-school programs, helping to address the root causes of crime in promoting positive youth development," J.B. Smiley Jr., chairman of Memphis City Council said.
The After School Act already has bipartisan support. It still needs to pass the Senate, House, and be signed by the President to become law.