HB 2505 prohibits the operation of virtual currency kiosks in Tennessee by making it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly install, permit, or operate such devices. It directly affects kiosk operators, property owners who allow installations, and anyone managing these terminals. The bill defines "virtual currency kiosk" as an electronic terminal facilitating crypto exchanges (like converting digital currency to cash) and specifies penalties for violations. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to all such activities after that date.
HB 2465 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-35-501 to require individuals convicted of certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without any sentence reduction credits. The bill specifically adds conspiracy, criminal attempt, and solicitation related to the offenses already listed in the statute (such as violent crimes and certain drug offenses) to the category of crimes where full sentences apply. This policy change directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who would otherwise qualify for sentence credits through programs like good behavior or rehabilitation. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.
SB 2619 changes Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving a split sentence (part jail time, part probation). It increases the required continuous jail time from one year to three years for such cases, and specifies that the state must cover all jail costs after the first year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-35-306 and 40-35-314 to implement these changes. This directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee who are sentenced to split confinement and probation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 2266 amends Tennessee law to increase the penalty for vehicular homicide from a Class C felony to a Class B felony when the death results from a driver traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The bill directly affects drivers whose extreme speeding (defined as exceeding the speed limit by 20+ mph) causes a fatal crash. It creates a specific speed threshold ("extreme and excessive rate of speed") and upgrades the felony classification for such cases. This change applies to prosecutions under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-213(a)(5) and (b)(4), effective July 1, 2026.
SB 2178 increases penalties for buying sex (patronizing prostitution) in specific situations. It upgrades the offense to a Class B felony if the person bought sex from a law enforcement officer posing as a minor or someone with an intellectual disability, and to a Class A felony if the person was a minor under 18. The bill also adds a minimum 7-day jail term and $1,000 fine for buying sex within 1.5 miles of a school. These changes directly affect individuals who engage in buying sex from vulnerable groups or near schools, raising penalties from misdemeanor to felony levels.
SB 2388 changes three key aspects of Tennessee's criminal justice system. It raises the monthly fee defendants must pay toward supervision costs from $10 to $15 (affecting individuals under community supervision). It also changes penalties for illegally possessing a telecommunication device in prison, making it a full Class E felony (not limited to fines). Finally, it requires municipalities to cover autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state pays instead (directly affecting local government budgets). These changes take effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2303 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or amyl nitrite ("poppers") for non-exempt purposes. The law directly affects individuals who use these substances recreationally and businesses selling them, with penalties including fines and possible probation requiring drug rehabilitation. Exceptions exist for medical use (prescribed by a practitioner), industrial manufacturing, food service (as a propellant), and automotive uses, but flavored products or labeled containers create a legal presumption against these exceptions. The bill also imposes license suspensions for 30 days on businesses violating the law and revocation for repeat offenses, effective July 1, 2026.
SB 2665 requires Tennessee courts to mandate GPS monitoring as a bail condition for defendants charged with specific serious offenses - including those involving firearms, violence, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat crimes - unless the court documents in writing that the defendant poses no threat to victims or public safety. It applies to cases where the defendant was arrested for one of these listed offenses. Courts must report monthly data on defendants under GPS monitoring to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which will compile an annual statewide report for legislative committees. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 2528 amends Tennessee's security guard licensing laws to add "stalking" to the list of crimes requiring applicants to complete all sentence or probation terms and wait at least five years before applying for a security guard registration. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who seek security guard positions, preventing them from applying until five years after their sentence or probation ends. Key provisions include requiring security guards to report arrests or convictions for listed offenses (like stalking) within 10 days to both the state commissioner and their employer, and adding new disqualifiers for individuals on abuse registries or prohibited from owning firearms. These changes strengthen background checks and reporting requirements for security personnel without altering existing rules for other offenses.
HB 2260 increases penalties for arson committed at pregnancy resource centers, raising the offense from a Class C to a Class B felony under Tennessee law. It directly affects these centers (defined as nonprofits providing pregnancy-related services like counseling, financial aid, food, clothing, and adoption support) and individuals committing arson against them. The bill adds a specific legal definition for "pregnancy resource center" to clarify which organizations are protected. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter existing protections for other locations like places of worship.
