SB 1411 makes it a Class E felony to assault a school employee while they are performing job duties on school property, at school events, on school-provided transportation, or at a designated school bus stop. It directly affects all K-12 school employees (teachers, administrators, staff) in both public and private schools across Tennessee. The bill reclassifies these specific assaults - previously likely misdemeanors - into a felony offense, increasing penalties. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies only when the assault occurs during work-related activities at school-affiliated locations.
SB 186 increases state payments to counties for housing convicted felons by raising the accreditation stipend per inmate. This directly affects counties that operate local jails or hold inmates under state supervision. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (including Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to implement this payment increase. The change became law on June 4, 2025, after passing through legislative committees.
HB 577 increases the state-funded stipend that eligible counties receive for housing each convicted felon in county facilities. This change directly affects counties operating correctional facilities, providing them with additional state funding per inmate. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (TCA Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to adjust the stipend amount. It was signed into law in May 2025 and takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 693 increases penalties for certain child abuse offenses in Tennessee. It upgrades the punishment for knowingly causing injury to a child aged 9-17 from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change directly affects individuals convicted of such abuse, making the offense a felony charge. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 36, 37, 39, and 40 and takes effect July 1, 2025, for offenses committed on or after that date.
HB 524 allows eligible veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to Montgomery County's veterans treatment court program under specific conditions. The bill affects veterans who meet the program's jurisdictional criteria (as if the crime occurred in Montgomery County), require a written waiver of their right to a jury trial in their home county, and have the Montgomery County District Attorney General agree to the transfer. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to permit this transfer process for contiguous counties with populations between 220,000-220,100 (based on 2020 census data), which Montgomery County satisfies. This creates a new procedural pathway for veterans to access specialized treatment courts instead of standard criminal proceedings. The bill became effective May 21, 2025, after Governor's approval.
SB 505 allows veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to a veterans treatment court in a neighboring county (like Montgomery County, which has a population of 220,000-220,100 per census). It directly affects eligible veterans who qualify for veterans treatment court in the new county and must agree to waive their right to a jury trial in their original county. The transfer requires three conditions: the receiving court would have jurisdiction if the crime occurred there, the defendant signs a written waiver, and the district attorney general for the new county consents. This bill amends Tennessee law to expand access to veterans treatment courts across qualifying contiguous counties.
SB 445 adds five new assistant district public defender positions in Tennessee, effective July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects public defender offices by increasing staffing capacity to handle caseloads for indigent defendants. The key provision amends Tennessee law to create these positions, aiming to improve resource allocation within public defense systems. The change applies statewide to district public defender offices under Titles 8 and 9 of the Tennessee Code.
SB 685 revises Tennessee's laws on unlawful photography, increasing penalties for taking unauthorized photos of others. It upgrades the offense to a felony (Class E, D, or C depending on circumstances) and adds specific aggravating factors, such as when the victim is under 13 years old or when the perpetrator holds a position of trust (e.g., a teacher or coach). The bill also mandates that offenders register as sexual offenders under Tennessee's registry law. These changes apply to acts committed on or after July 1, 2025.
SB 300 requires individuals convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee general sessions court to complete a cognitive behavioral training course. Offenders must pay for the course (capped at $100), provide proof of completion to the court within a court-specified timeframe, and face up to 10 days in jail for willful failure to comply. The course must be accessible online, multilingual, include human interaction, and provide a completion certificate within 72 hours. This bill directly affects misdemeanor offenders and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 371 requires individuals convicted of Class A or Class B misdemeanors in Tennessee to complete a behavioral training course as part of their sentencing. Offenders must pay for the course (capped at $100), provide proof of completion to the court within a court-specified timeframe, and face potential jail time (up to 10 days) for failing to comply. The course must be accessible online, offered in multiple languages, include human interaction, and be provided by certified vendors meeting specific standards. This law affects misdemeanor offenders directly and takes effect July 1, 2025.
