Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the Class C felony offense of aggravated assault against a first responder to include knowingly possessing fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or a fentanyl analogue in a manner that would be reasonably foreseen to expose a first responder to the substance while the first responder is discharging or attempting to discharge the first responder's official duties and the first responder is exposed resulting in the serious bodily injury or death of the first responder. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 143 expands Tennessee's Class C felony charge for aggravated assault against first responders to include knowingly possessing specific fentanyl-related substances (fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or analogues) in a way that reasonably exposes first responders to those substances during official duties. This directly affects individuals who possess these drugs in circumstances where exposure could cause serious injury or death to a first responder. The bill defines "expose" as direct contact via touch, ingestion, or inhalation and sets a mandatory $15,000 fine plus a 90-day minimum jail term with no early release. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to cases where the first responder suffers serious injury or death due to the exposure.