‘Jillian’s Law’ heads to Gov. Lee’s desk

Ethan Illers
·2 min read
4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – With her parents in the gallery, the Tennessee General Assembly passed Jillian’s Law in an attempt to close a loophole in state law.

“It’s an emotional day to see [the law] come to fruition,” Matt Ludwig, Jillian’s father, said.

Jillian Ludwig, 18, was hit by a stray bullet in November 2023. Her senseless death sent shockwaves through the city and left many asking the question of why her death happened in the first place.

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Shortly after the shooting, Shaquille Taylor was arrested in connection with the deadly incident. It was quickly revealed he was a repeat offender who was prosecuted in April 2023 for a separate assault with a deadly weapon. The case against him was dismissed after three court-appointed physicians ruled he was incompetent to stand trial.

This would change in future cases with HB 1640 sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland).

“Jillian’s Law” would require defendants like Taylor to be committed to an appropriate treatment facility, something the current law does not mandate. It would also require those deemed incompetent to stand trial to be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which serves as a namecheck database of people prohibited from buying or owning firearms.

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“If this bill had been on the books a year ago, many of you probably would have never heard the name Jillian Ludwig, because she’d still be in school at Belmont, and her parents would not have come all the way to Tennessee to see that justice be done on a man who should have been in jail instead of killing their baby girl,” Lamberth said.

“Jillian’s Law” passed the House 92-0-4, with four lawmakers not voting. The bill passes in the Senate shortly after and will now head to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk.

“Of course my heart is broken and it will be forever, but I’m happy that her legacy with her name attached to this bill will help save lives,” Jessica Ludwig, Jillian’s mother, said.

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