Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 158: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for engaging in harassing behavior against a first responder engaged in official duties under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 158 creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for individuals who knowingly approach within 25 feet of a first responder (including police, firefighters, EMTs, or corrections officers) after receiving a verbal warning, if they intend to impede the responder’s duties, threaten physical harm, or harass them. The bill defines "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress through a course of conduct with no legitimate purpose. It directly affects people who target first responders during official duties, such as during emergency calls or patrols. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to any situation where a verbal warning was given before the approach.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class B misdemeanor to protect first responders from harassment during duties, strengthening law enforcement safety and operational effectiveness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1129: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony that is committed when a person exercises control over a motor vehicle knowing that the person does not have the permission of the owner of the motor vehicle; creates a Class A misdemeanor of possessing a firearm that the person knows or reasonably should know has been stolen. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1129 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: (1) a Class E felony for controlling a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission (even if not intending to steal it), and (2) a Class A misdemeanor for possessing a firearm known to be stolen. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully take vehicles or possess stolen firearms, with penalties based on the specific violation. The bill amends Tennessee’s criminal code to define these acts clearly, specifying that unauthorized vehicle control is a felony while stolen firearm possession is a misdemeanor. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and is currently pending review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates stricter penalties (Class E felony for vehicle control, Class A misdemeanor for stolen firearms), expanding criminalization per indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 163: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment when the offense is committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, if the motor vehicle is occupied, or a Class D felony, if the motor vehicle is unoccupied. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

SB 163 increases penalties for reckless endangerment involving discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle in Tennessee. If the vehicle is occupied, the offense becomes a Class C felony (up from Class E); if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill directly affects anyone who fires a gun into a vehicle, raising criminal consequences based on whether occupants were present. It amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-103 to clarify these penalty levels, effective July 1, 2025. The change applies specifically to motor vehicles as defined by state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony penalties for firearm discharge into vehicles, expanding criminalization and raising mandatory sentences without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 1253: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, creates the offense of carrying or possessing a firearm, including a firearm that was privately assembled and does not contain a serial number or other mark that conforms with federal law, if, at the time of carrying or possessing, the person is not a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 55, Chapter 50.

SB 1253 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for individuals who carry or possess a privately assembled firearm without a serial number (or other federal-compliant mark) if they are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The bill directly affects non-citizens and non-permanent residents in Tennessee who possess such firearms, as defined by the law. Key provisions amend Tennessee Code § 39-17-1307 to prohibit this specific conduct, referencing federal firearm marking requirements under 18 U.S.C. § 923(i). The law would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for non-citizens possessing unmarked firearms, expanding criminalization without reform focus or defendant protections.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates Class A misdemeanor for non-citizens possessing unmarked firearms, restricting access based on immigration status per bill's explicit criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 311: Disabled Persons - As introduced, enacts the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 52.

HB 311, the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act," creates new protections for autistic young adults aged 18-25 who are under legal guardianship (conservatorship). It makes it a Class A misdemeanor to use online platforms to groom such individuals for sexual exploitation, sextortion, or trafficking. The bill also urges online platforms to implement policies preventing these harms and requires tools for conservators/families to monitor online activities. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class A misdemeanor for online grooming of autistic adults, strengthening legal protections against exploitation and enhancing law enforcement tools for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires online platforms to implement safety policies preventing exploitation of autistic users, strengthening digital rights and consumer protection via platform regulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1400: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law concerning driving under the influence. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

SB 1400 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws by two key changes: it permits law enforcement officers to assist medical professionals in obtaining blood samples from drivers using reasonable force during DUI investigations, and it increases the minimum jail sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. These provisions directly affect drivers charged with DUI, law enforcement officers conducting blood tests, and medical personnel involved in the sampling process. The blood sample provision took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on May 5, 2025, while the sentence increase will apply starting January 1, 2026. The bill does not alter DUI testing standards or expand penalties beyond these specific changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases first-time DUI jail sentence from 1 to 1.5 years and permits force for blood samples, expanding criminalization and harshening penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 465: Drugs, Synthetic or Analogue - As introduced, removes the limitation that a person who is experiencing a drug overdose only has immunity from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted on the first drug overdose. - Amends TCA Title 50; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 465 removes a restriction in Tennessee law that previously limited legal immunity from arrest or charges for people experiencing drug overdoses to only their *first* overdose. The bill amends Tennessee Code §63-1-156(b) to allow immunity for subsequent overdoses if the person seeks emergency help. This directly affects individuals experiencing drug overdoses who contact emergency services, as they would no longer face arrest or prosecution for drug offenses during multiple overdose events. The key change is extending the existing immunity protection beyond the initial overdose, while maintaining the requirement to cooperate with emergency responders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves first-overdose limitation, expanding immunity for seeking help during multiple overdoses - reduces criminalization of drug users and promotes public health approach to overdose response.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves legal barriers to seeking emergency care for drug overdoses, improving access to healthcare services and protecting individuals from prosecution when seeking help.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 1210: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, requires, if the respondent on an order of protection dispossesses firearms by transferring possession to a third party who is not prohibited from possessing firearms, the respondent to specify the third party and the physical address where all firearms are located on the affidavit of firearms dispossession form; requires the third party to sign the affidavit of firearms dispossession form to acknowledge receipt of the firearms. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6.

This bill requires individuals under domestic violence protection orders who transfer firearms to a third party (not prohibited from owning guns) to list the third party's name and full address on the firearms dispossession form. It also mandates that the third party sign the form to confirm receipt of the firearms. The changes apply specifically to cases where firearms are transferred rather than surrendered to law enforcement. The bill aims to create a clear, documented record of firearm transfers in domestic violence cases to enhance safety transparency. (Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds accountability in firearm transfers under domestic violence orders, preventing prohibited access to firearms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 920: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that when the victim of a sexually oriented crime is a minor, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for the victim to receive a forensic medical examination. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38 and Title 39.

SB 920 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic medical exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, effective July 1, 2025. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA testing on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with written explanations for delays beyond that timeframe. The bill affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and the Bureau of Investigation by changing payment standards and establishing new timelines for evidence processing. Kits flagged for delay must be analyzed "within a reasonable time thereafter," and the bill clarifies that delays don't affect evidence admissibility. These changes apply to exams performed and kits received on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases compensation for forensic exams and mandates timely DNA testing on sexual assault evidence, improving victim support and evidence processing in criminal justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases compensation for healthcare providers performing forensic exams (from $1k to $2.5k), directly funding a healthcare service for sexual assault victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 312: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for recklessly storing a firearm in a manner that a person knows or reasonably should know will allow a child younger than 18 years of age to access the firearm and the child brings the firearm to a school. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 312 creates a Class A misdemeanor for firearm owners who store guns in a way that allows children under 18 to access them, specifically when a child brings the firearm to school. It directly affects firearm owners in Tennessee who fail to secure guns safely, such as leaving them in unlocked vehicles or unsecured areas where minors could reach them. The law defines "school" broadly to include buildings, buses, campuses, athletic fields, and other properties operated by educational institutions. Violating this law results in a misdemeanor charge, not a felony, with no mention of enhanced penalties for the child or school. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for firearm storage negligence, expanding criminalization of owner behavior rather than advancing reform or accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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