Democrats at the state Capitol on Tuesday blasted their Republican colleagues for not doing enough to prevent sexual harassment on the hill, after a freshman Republican lawmaker resigned surrounding allegations of sexual misconduct.

Rep. Mark Lovell, a fair and carnival operator from suburban Shelby County submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday. Lovell said in the letter that the elected position ended up being more demanding than he expected and that he needed more time to devote to his business interests and family.

Democrats though quickly sensed blood in the water and took the opportunity to strike.

" This is unacceptable behavior from people who are elected to the general assembly," said Sherry Jones, a Democrat from Nashville.

Jones and two other top Democratic lawmakers addressed reporters Tuesday afternoon and called on lawmakers to repeal what's known as Jeremy's Law.

The bill, which passed last year, was unofficially named after former Rep. Jeremy Durham, who was expelled from his seat surrounding allegations he sexually harassed more than two dozen women at the Capitol.

That bill mandates any victim of sexual harassment who sues the state and loses must then pay for the legal fees of the defense.

" I would say nobody up here is safe anymore. If we can go through all of the sexual harassment issues that happened last year, and you still have somebody...who would do something like that again, what does that say about this place?" Jones added.

After the Durham scandal, Speaker Beth Harwell called for the House's sexual harassment policy be updated and mandated that anyone who works at the Capitol watch a 22 minute sexual harassment prevention video.

Speaker Harwell's office did not respond for comment on Tuesday.

Former Rep. Lovell defeated longtime incumbent Curry Todd in the Republican primary in August. Todd had been arrested in the days before the vote on charges of stealing Lovell's yard signs. Todd, who was bailed out on the eve of the election by Lovell, is still awaiting trial.

Lovell denies any wrongdoing.

He released the following statement after announcing his resignation.