Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts the "Back the Blue Act," which increases the penalty for assault against a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 30-day sentence and $5,000 fine to a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum 60-day sentence and $10,000 fine. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

This bill, known as the "Back the Blue Act," increases the legal penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in Tennessee. While assaulting a first responder or nurse remains a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day minimum sentence and a $5,000 fine, assaulting a law enforcement officer is now classified as a Class E felony. This change imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days in jail and a $10,000 fine for those convicted of attacking police officers. The law specifically defines "law enforcement officer" to include various state and local agencies, such as the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Capitol Police, and park rangers. These stricter penalties take effect on July 1, 2024.