Tenn. governor signs meth bill into law

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam this week signed into law a “multi-faceted bill” aimed at quelling “the increasing problem of methamphetamine manufacturing and use in Tennessee.”

Tennessee authorities in 2010 seized a record 2,082 meth labs throughout the Volunteer State.

“This bill helps us to confront Tennessee's meth problem head on and is a comprehensive approach to addressing a serious problem in our state,” Haslam said in a statement. “I want to thank Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons for his leadership on this issue along with the sponsors of the legislation and all of the parties that came to the table and worked to make this legislation meaningful.”

According to officials, the bill:

— Increases the penalty for making meth in the presence of children

— Tracks the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine, which is a key ingredient in making meth

— Makes that sales information available promptly to law enforcement

— Makes it easier to prosecute those who purchase pseudoephedrine products at different times; and places for the purpose of exceeding the allowable amount, or through use of false identification

— Imposes minimum mandatory fines on those offenders