HB 2428 raises the penalty for assaulting a first responder (including law enforcement officers) in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. The bill mandates a $10,000 fine and a minimum 60-day jail sentence for such offenses, with no early release during the mandatory period. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 (criminal law) and Title 40 (criminal justice), effective July 1, 2026. This change directly affects individuals convicted of assaulting first responders by increasing the severity of penalties for these crimes.
SB 2468 requires Tennessee courts to impose a mandatory fine equal to at least twice the cost of property damage or restoration when vandalism occurs at a house of worship (like a church, synagogue, or mosque). This applies specifically to sentencing for vandalism offenses committed at these locations, directly affecting both the convicted individual and the affected house of worship. The bill amends Tennessee criminal code to add this penalty as part of the sentence, overriding standard sentencing guidelines for such cases. It takes effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
SB 1747 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for recklessly firing a firearm into the air, ground, water, or nearby objects at public events with 25 or more people present. It directly affects individuals who engage in such reckless discharges in crowded public settings, such as concerts or festivals. Key exceptions include law enforcement officers acting in duty, wildlife officers, licensed hunters during open seasons, and defensive use against animal attacks. The law, effective July 1, 2026, aims to address public safety risks from negligent firearm discharge in crowded areas.
HB 2023 increases the victims assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to criminal offenses in Tennessee courts. The first $15 of the fee goes to the court clerk for processing costs, while the remaining $110 is directed to county-designated victim assistance programs. This change applies to all criminal cases where a defendant enters a guilty plea, is found guilty, enters a nolo contendere plea, or is found criminally responsible for qualifying offenses. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-24-109, to implement this funding shift without altering eligibility for victim services.
SB 468, the "Women's Safety and Protection Act," defines "female" and "male" biologically (based on reproductive systems at birth) for state law applications. It requires Tennessee state agencies to maintain separate facilities and accommodations for biological females in correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, domestic violence shelters, restrooms, and dormitories to protect safety and privacy. The bill mandates that biological sex - not gender identity - determines eligibility for these spaces, prohibiting agencies from banning such distinctions in settings where safety or privacy is a concern. It applies directly to women, girls, and facilities serving them, with specific provisions for restrooms, sleeping quarters, and shelter access. The law overrides conflicting state laws to enforce these biological sex-based definitions.
HB 2374 changes Tennessee court procedures for handling bench warrants when defendants fail to appear. It removes the requirement for courts to enter certain misdemeanor (violent/sexual) or non-violent felony bench warrants into state/federal databases, extends the time for entering felony warrants from 3 to 10 business days, and makes it optional for courts to relieve bail bond sureties of liability if warrants aren't entered within that timeframe. The bill directly affects courts, bail bond companies, and defendants who skip court appearances. These changes modify administrative processes but do not alter criminal definitions or penalties.
HB 1787 (Criminal Offenses) increases penalties for patronizing prostitution when the victim is in specific vulnerable categories. It raises the offense to a Class B felony if the victim is a law enforcement officer posing as a minor or a person with an intellectual disability, and to a Class A felony if the victim is under 18. The bill also mandates at least 7 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for patronizing prostitution within 1.5 miles of a school. These changes apply to cases currently treated as trafficking for commercial sex acts under Tennessee law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1980 amends Tennessee's bail law to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and hold them without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new crime while out, or obstruct court proceedings. This temporary hold requires a written court order and a hearing within the 10-day period. If violations are confirmed at the hearing, the court may permanently revoke bail, requiring the defendant to remain in custody until trial. The bill directly affects defendants released on bail who breach their conditions, changing existing procedures for managing such cases.
HB 1268 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to submit its annual report on narcotics investigations to specific legislative committees by February 15 each year, instead of the previous unspecified annual deadline. The bill amends Tennessee law (specifically Titles 8, 10, 16, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 55) to update the submission date and clarify which committees receive the report (the House committee with jurisdiction over criminal justice and the Senate Judiciary Committee). This change directly affects the TBI's narcotics division and the legislative committees responsible for oversight. The bill modifies reporting procedures without altering the content or scope of the investigations themselves.
HB 555 changes Tennessee's burglary law by reclassifying the offense of burglarizing a vehicle (such as a car or truck) from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. This adjustment directly affects individuals convicted of this specific type of burglary, resulting in a less severe criminal classification. The bill also updates related legal references in Tennessee Code to align with this change. It will take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed after that date.
