HB 433 amends Tennessee's unlawful exposure law to specifically criminalize distributing digitally altered intimate images of identifiable people. The bill directly affects individuals who create or share such images using digital tools like AI or photo editing software, with intent to cause emotional distress. Key provisions expand the offense to cover images "created or modified by means of a computer software program, artificial intelligence application, or other digital editing tools" when shared without consent. This makes it illegal to distribute these digitally manipulated images under circumstances where privacy was expected. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1346, the "Preventing Deepfake Images Act," creates a civil legal remedy for individuals whose intimate digital images or videos (including deepfakes) are shared without consent. It directly affects people who have had non-consensual intimate depictions - such as images showing genitals, sexual fluids, or explicit acts - disclosed online or otherwise. The law allows victims to sue for $150,000 in liquidated damages, actual damages, or punitive damages, and seek court orders to stop further disclosure. It defines key terms like "deepfakes" and clarifies that consent for creating the image does not cover its sharing, while allowing exceptions for law enforcement or good-faith disclosures. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 1314 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee. First, it makes it a felony (Class E or D depending on circumstances) to recklessly threaten mass violence (defined as an act likely to cause serious harm to four or more people), especially if targeting schools, government buildings, or events. Second, it creates a misdemeanor (Class B or A) for posting someone’s home address or phone number online with the intent to cause harm to them or their family. The law applies to all individuals, including threats made via social media or text, but excludes public officials acting within their legal duties. Violators may face prison time and be ordered to pay restitution for disruptions caused by their threats.
HB 1273 creates a new felony charge for recklessly threatening mass violence against child care centers, preschools, or religious institutions, and a misdemeanor for failing to report such threats. The law requires immediate reporting of threats to both local law enforcement and the affected institution, with specific details needed in the report. Violators face penalties including up to 6 years in prison for the felony threat and up to 6 months for failing to report. The bill defines "property" to include buildings and grounds of these institutions and mandates restitution for disruption caused by threats.
HB 748 increases the mandatory amount of court costs collected in municipal court cases that must be forwarded to the state treasurer from $1.00 to $2.00 per case. This change directly affects municipal court clerks, who will now send an additional $1.00 per case to the state. The funds must be used exclusively by the Administrative Office of the Courts to cover expenses for training and continuing education programs for municipal court judges and clerks. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections and takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 586 amends Tennessee's unlawful exposure law (TCA § 39-17-318) to clarify that distributing a private intimate image of another identifiable person with intent to cause emotional distress is illegal - regardless of whether the distributor was part of the original private agreement about the image. This directly affects individuals who share such images non-consensually, including those who received them from others. The key provision removes the previous requirement that the distributor must have been a party to the original private agreement. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, strengthening protections against non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
HB 786 creates two new Class B misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee: one for impersonating a ride-hailing driver (like Uber or Lyft) and another for impersonating a traditional taxi or limo driver. It prohibits falsely using company branding, logos, or fake statements to claim you are a legitimate driver for these services, or falsely representing that you are responding to a passenger request. Violations carry Class B misdemeanor penalties (with potential felony charges if committed during another crime), and the law applies to acts occurring on or after July 1, 2025. This directly affects individuals who impersonate these drivers, aiming to protect consumers and legitimate service providers from deceptive practices.
HB 99 revises Tennessee's unlawful photography law (TCA § 39-13-605) to strengthen penalties and protections. It upgrades certain offenses to higher felony classifications (e.g., Class E felony for non-minor offenses, Class D felony when a minor under 13 is involved), adds mandatory sex offender registration for violations, and specifies aggravating factors like using a position of trust over a victim. The law directly affects individuals who take unauthorized photos in private settings, particularly when minors under 13 are involved or the offender holds a position of authority over the victim. Key provisions include increased criminal penalties, mandatory registration under Tennessee’s sex offender registry, and updated definitions for sentencing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1415 creates a new criminal offense in Tennessee for knowingly exposing a child to fentanyl, carfentanil, or related opioids in a way that places the child in immediate danger of serious harm. It imposes a Class E felony penalty for children over age 8 and a stricter Class B felony penalty for children aged 8 or younger. The law specifically targets situations where a person unlawfully possesses these drugs in the presence of a child. If enacted, this bill would directly affect caregivers or adults who have these substances around minors. The bill is pending and would take effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 650 requires Tennessee sheriffs to accept surrenders of criminal defendants on pretrial release from bail bondsmen or sureties, rather than allowing sheriffs to refuse such surrenders without explanation. The bill mandates this acceptance pending a court hearing to determine if the bail company had "good cause" for the surrender. This directly affects bail bondsmen, sheriffs, and defendants who are out on pretrial release. The key provision replaces the current discretion of sheriffs with a requirement for mandatory acceptance before a court evaluates the reasonableness of the surrender.
