Whiskey Row death sparks Tennessee bill tightening guard training

A invoice requiring first support, CPR, restraint and de-escalation coaching for unarmed personal guards working in locations licensed to serve alcohol has handed in Tennessee. 

The invoice, dubbed “Dallas’s Regulation,” comes after 22-year-old Dallas “DJ” Barrett died following a struggle with safety guards at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row in August. It now heads to Gov. Invoice Lee’s desk for approval. 

Nashville police stated Barrett was held to the bottom through the struggle. A medical expert later decided Barrett died of oxygen deprivation and dominated his demise a murder. Seven folks, together with six guards and one other man, face reckless murder and aggravated assault expenses in Barrett’s demise. 

PREVIOUSLY:Whiskey Row demise sparks Tennessee invoice that may tighten unarmed guard coaching

The Tennessean first reported that 4 of the six guards charged in Barrett’s demise had been unlicensed. A Tennessean evaluation of state legislation additionally revealed unarmed guards employed solely by a proprietary safety group, like Whiskey Row LLC, aren’t required to finish any coaching to get licensed.

Rep. Invoice Beck, D-Nashville, stated that evaluation, together with movies proven on information broadcasts, “horrified” him and impressed him to suggest the Home invoice.

“It was a kind of conditions the place the confusion and the pandemonium constructed on itself,” Beck stated final month. “It was only a tragic scene.” 

Beck stated in a Wednesday information launch that he’s proud to be a part of making Dallas’s Regulation a actuality in Tennessee. 

“This invoice will ensure that safety guards and bouncers in institutions that serve liquor have the correct coaching in CPR and different strategies of de-escalation,” Beck stated. “I firmly imagine that it will defend people who find themselves out in our bars and eating places.” 

Senate Minority Chief Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, sponsored the invoice within the Senate.

RECORDS:4 safety guards charged in Nashville Whiskey Row demise had been unlicensed

Dallas’s Regulation closes ‘loophole’ in state laws 

The newly-passed invoice closes what Beck referred to as a “loophole” that exempts organizations like Whiskey Row LLC from coaching necessities for unarmed guards.

Any enterprise that gives safety should register with the state as a proprietary safety group or contract with a registered firm, stated Kevin Walters, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Division of Commerce and Insurance coverage.

Present Tennessee code outlines 4 hours of coaching for unarmed personal safety guards. Whereas the code says unarmed guards working solely for a proprietary safety group — like Whiskey Row LLC — ought to full the coaching, it doesn’t require it.

The 4 hours embody one hour devoted to emergency procedures. Whereas first support is often included beneath that part, it’s not particularly required, Walters stated. CPR, restraint, and de-escalation coaching are additionally not required. 

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Beck stated he labored with the state Alcoholic Beverage Fee and Commerce and Insurance coverage Division as he created the invoice.

“It is an important piece of laws,” he stated. “I wished to verify to get it proper.”

The brand new invoice requires unarmed guards working in locations that serve alcohol be skilled in protected restraints and de-escalation strategies inside 15 days of employment. It additionally requires them to point out proof of present first support and CPR certification.

Moreover, the invoice requires the guards to undergo refresher trainings, together with sustaining present first support and CPR certifications. The invoice additionally particulars charges, guidelines and enforcement measures surrounding proprietary safety organizations and unarmed guards.

Discover reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.