Hello, this is Senator Paul Bailey bringing you this week’s capitol update. It’s been a busy week on Capitol Hill beginning with Monday’s announcement by Governor Bill Haslam of the appointment of a working group to review school safety in Tennessee.

I was honored to be named to this group comprised of members from the executive and legislative branches, as well as leaders in education, mental health and safety. We have a challenging task in front of us.

We’ve all agreed with the parents and students who have survived school violence in Florida, Kentucky, Connecticut, and other states. These are unspeakable tragedies that as a parent, I cannot even imagine.

A safe learning environment is essential for students of all ages. Our working group is not wasting any time and getting down to work with a meeting already scheduled for this week.

We will be reviewing the policies, procedures and process of developing and implementing school safety plans as well as other school safety measures. I look forward to working with my fellow members recommend the best policies to keep our students safe.

This will be done in communication and collaboration with our law enforcement community, educators and mental health professionals. I also asked for your input in this effort and we’ll keep you updated on the progress we make.

Moving to other matters discussed in Nashville this week, I sponsored an amendment that was attached to the budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include $600,000 to purchase property for the Upper Cumberland Veterans Cemetery.

The courageous men and women of the Upper Cumberland who have served our country so well deserve this cemetery. Many of our local veterans have been working for several years to fund it.

It is time for the state to commit the funds needed to ensure these veterans have a proper resting place, and that is what this amendment would do. It would give local communities the confidence to move forward in raising the remaining $400,000 in funds needed to get this project underway.

Finally, I was very pleased to advance legislation calling for physicians who prescribed more than a five day supply of opioids to women of childbearing age to inform the patient about the risk it could have to a newborn, as well as cost effective and appropriate forms of birth control.

The victims of Tennessee’s opioid epidemic extend beyond those fighting the addiction, reaching into families as well. Infants and Children are the most innocent victims. The number of babies born drug dependent has increased 500% since 2000.

In addition to the pain these babies who are affected suffer, it cost approximately $62,000 per baby to treat this condition, with a total cost of $1 billion to Tennessee taxpayers annually. We need to do everything we can to educate women who have been prescribed opioids to lower the risk that children are born with NAS.

Please remember to weigh in on any issues that come before our General Assembly. I welcome your input and look forward to hearing from you. And until next week, this is Paul Bailey thanking you for allowing me to serve in Tennessee State Senate.