NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Proposals that would examine or make changes to jail cell regulations are advancing in the Senate.

Both measures sponsored by Sen. Steve Southerland, a Morristown Republican, unanimously passed the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Tuesday.

One bill would prohibit the Tennessee Corrections Institute from decertifying a jail facility based on square footage of a jail cell if the measurement meets the requirements of the American Correctional Association's Manual of Correctional Standards.

The other would create an advisory committee to review jail standards.

Both proposals have been assigned to a House subcommittee.

___

Read SB0695 and SB0116 at: http://www.capitol.tn.gov

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.