SB 1815 creates a new Class D felony offense for AI system owners who permit their systems to advise or encourage suicide when the user has already communicated suicidal intent. Specifically, it targets owners of AI systems (including generative AI like chatbots) that, knowing the user expressed intent to harm themselves, provide suicide-related advice without adequate safeguards. The law applies if the AI owner negligently allowed the system to remain accessible to the user during this high-risk period. This bill directly affects AI developers and companies operating systems in Tennessee, imposing criminal liability for specific AI interactions involving imminent suicide risk. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2085 (Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-24-109) increases the victims' assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of certain crimes, including those who plead guilty, are found guilty, or enter diversion programs. The fee applies to criminal cases in Tennessee courts and directly affects convicted defendants. The bill specifies that $15 of each assessment goes to the court clerk for processing, while the remaining $110 must be sent to the county’s designated victim assistance program. This change redirects funding to support local victim services under existing state law.
SB 1656, known as "Matthew Davenport's Law," prohibits the possession, manufacture, delivery, or sale of Kratom (defined broadly to include derivatives and synthetic versions), with penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for simple possession to a Class B felony for selling to minors. It requires toxicology testing for Kratom in cases of suspected drug overdose deaths (via medical examiners) and in specific medical scenarios like neonatal abstinence syndrome (via treating physicians). The law also mandates adding Kratom to the state's official drug definition for workplace testing. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 1765 allows Tennessee trial judges to revoke probation for felony or misdemeanor offenders based solely on a "technical violation" (like missing a check-in or failing a drug test), without requiring a new crime. For first or second revocations, judges can impose up to 90 or 180 days in jail, respectively; third or subsequent revocations may result in the full remaining sentence. The bill explicitly excludes new criminal offenses from this process, requiring separate handling under existing rules. It defines "technical violation" as breaking probation terms without committing a new crime, and offers community-based alternatives for resentence. This changes how courts handle probation breaches, focusing on minor rule violations rather than new offenses.
SB 1573 amends Tennessee's assisted suicide law to criminalize intentionally advising or encouraging another person to commit suicide within an imminent timeframe, provided the advisor knows the person has communicated suicidal intent. This directly affects individuals who verbally encourage suicide, expanding the offense beyond merely providing means or participating in the act. Key provisions require both knowledge of the person's suicidal intent and the intent to incite immediate suicide, with sentencing set as a Class D felony (Class C if the victim is a minor). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to acts committed on or after that date.
HB 1678 amends Tennessee law to increase penalties for introducing or possessing contraband in prisons. It raises the felony classification for certain violations (like bringing weapons or drugs) from a Class C to Class B felony, Class D to Class C, or Class E to Class D felony if the act results in another person's death. The bill specifically targets cases involving telecommunication devices (like phones) if death occurs. These changes directly affect individuals who bring prohibited items into correctional facilities, such as inmates, visitors, or staff.
HB 1854 would expand Tennessee's criminal law to criminalize adulterating food, drinks, or medicine with the intent to cause involuntary intoxication. It classifies this act as a Class D felony (with higher penalties for causing injury or death), directly affecting individuals who intentionally tamper with consumable products to make users involuntarily intoxicated. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-17-107 and 40 to define the offense and establish specific felony classifications based on the perpetrator's intent. This change would apply to any adulterated product designed for human consumption or medical use, including restaurants, pharmacies, or personal items.
SB 1779 creates two new Class A misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee related to immigration status. It makes it illegal for individuals with a final removal order to remain in the state beyond 90 days without departing, and for those previously denied entry, deported, or removed to re-enter the state without federal consent. The bill would impose penalties including up to 11 months in jail for these violations, with courts required to stay criminal proceedings if the person is still challenging the federal removal order through legal channels. The law’s implementation is delayed until after a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturns *Arizona v. United States* (2012) or federal law explicitly allows states to determine unlawful presence, with full effect scheduled for July 1, 2026.
SB 2050, known as "Katherine's Law," creates a new criminal offense called "aggravated domestic assault" for specific severe domestic violence acts. It defines this as intentionally or knowingly assaulting a domestic abuse victim (per Tennessee law) while using a deadly weapon, displaying one, strangulating, or causing serious injury or death. This offense is classified as a Class B felony, a serious criminal charge. The law applies to incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects domestic violence victims and perpetrators committing these specific acts.
HB 2065 amends Tennessee's aggravated criminal trespass law to include disrupting a religious assembly within a building on property as a new qualifying condition. This change makes such disruption a Class A misdemeanor, the highest misdemeanor offense in Tennessee, directly affecting individuals who enter or remain on property without permission and interfere with religious services. The bill adds this specific provision to the existing criteria for aggravated trespass, which already covers causing fear, damaging barriers, or recklessly damaging property. It does not alter penalties for other trespass offenses but expands the definition to explicitly protect religious gatherings.
