Tennessee § 39-13-531 - Aggravated rape of a child.

§ 39-13-531. Aggravated rape of a child.

Aggravated rape of a child is the unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant or the defendant by a victim, if the victim is eight (8) years of age or less. Aggravated rape of a child is a Class A felony. The applicable sentencing provisions of title 40, chapter 35, apply to the offense prohibited by this section except: A sentencing hearing shall not be conducted as required by § 40-35-209; and After a defendant is found guilty of aggravated rape of a child, the judge shall sentence the defendant to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole. Acts 2006, ch. 890, § 23; 2019, ch. 211, § 1; 2020, ch. 588, § 1. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2006, ch. 890, § 1 provided that: “The provisions of this act, even though not codified together, may collectively be known as the ‘Child Protection Act of 2006’.” Acts 2019, ch. 211, § 4 provided that the act, which amended this section, shall apply to violations occurring on or after July 1, 2019. Amendments. The 2019 amendment rewrote (b) which read: “(b) Aggravated rape of a child is a Class A felony and shall be sentenced within Range III, as set forth in title 40, chapter 35.” The 2020 amendment substituted “if the victim is eight (8) years of age or less” for “if the victim is three (3) years of age or less” in (a). Effective Dates. Acts 2019, ch. 211, § 4. July 1, 2019. Acts 2020, ch. 588, § 3. July 1, 2020. Cross-References. Penalty for Class A felony, § 40-35-111 . Law Reviews. “Let’s Talk About Sexting, Baby”: A Mens Rea-Centered Approach to the Sexting Issue in Tennessee (Emily Long), 42 U. Mem. L. Rev. 1139 (2012).