Private Acts of 1937 Chapter 522

SECTION 1. That in all counties of the State of Tennessee having a population of not less than 51,080, nor more than 51,100, according to the Federal Census of 1930, or any subsequent Federal Census from and after the passage of this Act, it shall be unlawful for those persons who shall not have obtained their sixteenth birthdays to be on, upon, or along the public streets, by-ways, highways and/or public roadways later that the hour of nine o’clock P. M. Eastern Standard Time, except in those cases hereinafter provided.

SECTION 2. That those children who have not reached their sixteenth birthdays who shall be accompanied by their parents, guardians and/or other responsible adult, and/or those persons who have not reached their sixteenth birthdays who shall be on a lawful mission discharging lawful duties to his or her parents, guardians, and/or other responsible adults, shall not be included within purview of this Act.

SECTION 3. That every parent, guardian, or any other person having charge or control of any child before he shall have reached the age of sixteen, shall cause such child to be on, upon, about and/or within his home or place of abode not later than nine o’clock P. M. Eastern Standard Time, unless excepted as provided by Section 2 of this Act.

SECTION 4. That any parent, guardian, or other person embraced within the provisions of this Act who fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of this law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than Three ($3.00) Dollars, nor more than Twenty-five ($25.00) Dollars, and the costs of the suit.

SECTION 5. That if any parent, guardian, or any other person having charge or control of a child under the age of sixteen within the provisions of this Act prove in defense that he is unable to compel the child under his control to remain, on, upon, about and/or within the home or abode of such child; he may thereupon be discharged from liability, and such child shall thereafter be proceeded against as a delinquent child under the statues for such cases made and enacted.

SECTION 6. That it is the legislative intent in passing this Act to protect the morals, insure the safety, and promote the general character of those under the age of sixteen in those counties coming within the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 7. That the County Judge or Chairman of those counties embraced in this Act, or the Juvenile Judge, shall have the sole, original and exclusive jurisdiction of all cases coming within the terms of this Act, and it shall be the duty of any Justice of the Peace to bind those infants falling within the scope of this Act over to the County Judge, or County Chairman, or Juvenile Judge of those counties embraced within this Act, and any person interested may demand a Jury, or the Judge may of his own motion order a Jury to try cases within the scope of this Act.

SECTION 8. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act be, and the same are hereby repealed.

SECTION 9. That this Act take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.
Passed: May 12, 1937.