SB 1660 raises the penalty for arson committed at a pregnancy resource center from a Class C to a Class B felony. It defines "pregnancy resource center" as a nonprofit organization providing counseling, financial aid, food, clothing, medical assistance, and adoption-related services to women and families facing unexpected pregnancies. The bill directly affects individuals who commit arson at these specific facilities by increasing potential criminal penalties. The key change is both the enhanced sentencing and the legally defined scope of the centers protected under this provision.
SB 1659 amends Tennessee sentencing laws to add 12 new aggravating factors that juries must consider when sentencing defendants convicted of rape of a child or aggravated rape of a child. Key provisions include factors like the defendant being in a position of trust (e.g., teacher or caregiver), prior convictions involving minors, filming the crime, using substances to influence the victim, or the offense being especially heinous. The bill directly affects defendants in these specific child sexual assault cases by making certain circumstances mandatory for sentencing consideration. It also removes a prior mitigating factor (victim participation/consent) that applied to child rape cases and takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1525 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentencing isn't warranted and would harm justice. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors, such as sexual offenses or abuse across separate incidents. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115, making consecutive sentencing the default for these cases. Exceptions are limited to specific judicial findings about case facts and the "best interest of justice," not general discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.
HB 1962 creates a strong presumption against granting probation to defendants convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm. Specifically, if a defendant used or displayed a firearm during the assault (as defined under Tennessee law), the court must assume they are not suitable for probation unless the defendant proves otherwise. This rule applies to all aggravated assault convictions under § 39-13-102 and takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of firearm-related aggravated assault by making probation significantly harder to obtain.
HB 1521, titled the "James Bardsley Life Protection Act," increases penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident without stopping. It raises the penalty for leaving an accident causing injury from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. For accidents where death occurs and the driver knew or should have known, the penalty increases from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-101 and 39-13-101, taking effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1656 increases penalties for assaulting firefighters, emergency services personnel, or other first responders who answer emergency calls. It changes the offense from a Class A misdemeanor (with a 30-day minimum jail term and $5,000 fine) to a Class E felony (with a 60-day minimum sentence and $10,000 fine). The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39 and 40 and will take effect on July 1, 2026. This change specifically targets individuals who commit violence against emergency personnel during their duties.
SB 1607 changes the penalty for assaulting a first responder or law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. It requires a mandatory $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence with no early release for such offenses. The bill also establishes a separate penalty for assaulting a nurse, which would be a Class A misdemeanor with a $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum sentence. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 1871 amends Tennessee law to require that anyone convicted of second-degree murder (specifically for knowingly killing another) must receive a minimum sentence of Range II, the second-lowest sentencing range for criminal offenses. This directly affects individuals convicted of second-degree murder under the specified circumstances, setting a floor for their sentencing. The bill changes sentencing guidelines by prohibiting judges from imposing a sentence below Range II for these convictions, though sentences could still fall within Range III if deemed appropriate. The law applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026.
SB 1930 amends Tennessee law to require that anyone convicted of second-degree murder (specifically for knowingly killing another) receive a minimum sentence as a Range II offender. This means judges cannot sentence such offenders below the standard Range II sentencing level, though sentences could still fall within Range III if warranted. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals convicted of second-degree murder in Tennessee. It changes the sentencing minimum without altering the maximum penalties for this crime.
SB 1929 requires individuals convicted of conspiracy, attempt, or solicitation to commit certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without reduction credits (like good time). It expands the existing list of offenses subject to this rule to include these preparatory acts for the same crimes already mandated to have full sentences. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying offenses that trigger the rule. This policy change affects people convicted of these specific preparatory acts for the designated crimes.
