Sentencing - As introduced, increases the penalty for failing to stop at the scene of an accident when the person knew or should reasonably have known that death resulted from the accident by requiring a mandatory period of confinement of not less than one year and a minimum fine of $10,000. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.
HB 1819 increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents resulting in death by making it a Class E felony. Drivers who fail to stop after causing a fatal accident - when they knew or should have known death occurred - face a mandatory minimum of one year in jail and a $10,000 fine. The bill amends Tennessee laws in Titles 39 (criminal procedure), 40 (transportation), and 55 (vehicle regulations) to implement these stricter penalties. It will take effect on July 1, 2026, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2026
Last action Feb 2, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Lowell Russell
RRepublican
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