Criminal Offenses - As enacted, expands the criminal offense of harassment to include harassment that occurs by communicating in the physical presence of the victim, in addition to in writing, by telephone, or electronically. - Amends TCA Title 39.
HB 370 expands Tennessee's harassment law to include in-person communication as a criminal offense, not just written, phone, or electronic contact. The bill amends state law to define "communicate" broadly, covering physical presence interactions (like shouting or gestures face-to-face), verbal exchanges, and digital messages. This change directly affects individuals who engage in harassment through direct physical interactions, making such conduct punishable under existing harassment statutes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, updating how harassment is legally defined without altering penalties.
Bill status
in committee
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Last action May 15, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 17, 2025
How they voted
28–0
Passed
Total votes 28
Apr 17, 2025
D
Democratic7
100% Yea
R
Republican21
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
13
Committee
15
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025
lower
Apr 17, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (28-0)
house
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/9/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/26/2025
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Rick Scarbrough
RRepublican
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