I was proud to co-sponsor a comprehensive law cracking down on sex offenders--the most comprehensive such effort in our state's history, strengthening punishments, strengthening our sex offender registry and prohibiting offenders from ever contacting
their victims again, among other things. I've sponsored legislation to tighten the noose on online sex predators and now I am leading the fight to keep convicted sex offenders from ever getting a license to practice medicine in Tennessee.
Source: 2010 House campaign website, votedianeblack.com, "Issues"
, Nov 2, 2010
Harsher sentencing for "pill mill" operators.
Black signed Pill Mill Crackdown Act
The Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011: Amends the Controlled Substances Act to:
double the term of imprisonment and triple the fine for the prohibited distribution of a schedule II or schedule III controlled substance by the operator of a pill mill,
increase the penalties for such operator distribution of a controlled substance to a person under age 21 from twice to thrice the maximum punishment or term of supervised release authorized, and
exclude such operator distribution from the applicability of provisions authorizing an alternative fine of not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds derived by a defendant from a drug offense.
Expresses the sense of Congress that such prohibited operator distribution is a violation for which certain property is subject to forfeiture.
Requires the proceeds from disposition of such property to be used for controlled substance monitoring programs in the states and for block grants to states for community mental health services and for prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
Changes the classification of specified quantities of dihydrocodeinone from a schedule III to a schedule II controlled substance.
Rated 54% by the NAPO, indicating a moderate stance on police issues.
Black scores 54% by the NAPO on crime & police issues
Ratings by the National Association of Police Organizations indicate support or opposition to issues of importance to police and crime. The organization's self-description: "The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police units and associations from across the United States. NAPO was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action, and education.
"Increasingly, the rights and interests of law enforcement officers have been the subject of legislative, executive, and judicial action in the nation�s capital. NAPO works to influence the course of national affairs where law enforcement interests are concerned. The following list includes examples of NAPO�s accomplishments:
Enactment of the Fair Sentencing Act
Enactment of the National AMBER Alert Act
Enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
Enactment of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
Enactment of the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (Right to Carry Legislation)
VoteMatch scoring for the NAPO ratings is as follows:
0%-50%: soft on crime and police issues;
50%-75%: mixed record on crime and police issues;
75%-100%: tough on crime and police issues.
Source: NAPO ratings on Congress and politicians 2014_NAPO on Dec 31, 2014