SB 429 creates a new Class B misdemeanor offense for knowingly activating and pointing a laser pointer or similar device at someone driving a vehicle (including cars, boats, planes, or other motor vehicles). This law directly affects drivers who may be targeted by laser pointers and individuals who point such devices at them. The key provision makes this act a punishable misdemeanor, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025. It specifically targets laser beams aimed at operators of moving vehicles to address safety risks.
SB 108 shortens the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Correction to report deaths in custody from 10 to five business days after the death. It requires reports to include the facility name and be sent to the state senator and representative representing the deceased person's last Tennessee home address. The bill applies only to deaths of people who resided in Tennessee and takes effect July 1, 2025. This change aims to improve transparency for legislators representing affected communities.
SB 1218, known as the "Parole Relief and Opportunity Act," expands the definition of hardship for Tennessee parolees to include situations where a parolee’s income cannot cover basic household needs due to family responsibilities or when they’ve made reasonable efforts to find employment but still cannot meet those needs. The bill requires the parole department to waive financial contributions for parolees qualifying as experiencing hardship under this new standard. Parolees can request a review of their financial obligation when facing hardship, and if approved, they will not be required to pay fees until their circumstances improve. This directly affects parolees in Tennessee who face economic challenges during their supervision period.
SB 28 expands Tennessee's harassment law to include face-to-face communication as a form of harassment, in addition to existing methods like text, phone, or online messages. This change directly affects individuals who engage in threatening or intimidating behavior while physically present with a victim, such as verbal threats during stalking or nonverbal intimidation in person. The bill amends the definition of "communicate" in state law to explicitly cover in-person contact, alongside written, electronic, or telephone interactions. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, broadening the legal scope for prosecuting harassment cases that occur through physical presence.
SB 30 creates new misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee, primarily targeting individuals who intentionally provide false names to law enforcement during lawful detention or arrest (Section 4). It also prohibits transporting people in the enclosed cargo area of box trucks (defined as vehicles without passenger seats/safety belts) and restricts approaching within 25 feet of officers performing duties after being ordered to stop (Sections 5-6). Additionally, the bill bans unauthorized signage on bridges/highways without maintenance entity permission (Section 7) and amends procedures for police citations (Sections 8-9). These changes directly affect people detained by police, drivers using box trucks for passengers, and individuals placing signage on public infrastructure. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 1268 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to submit its annual report on narcotics investigations to specific legislative committees by February 15 each year, instead of the previous unspecified annual deadline. The bill amends Tennessee law (specifically Titles 8, 10, 16, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 55) to update the submission date and clarify which committees receive the report (the House committee with jurisdiction over criminal justice and the Senate Judiciary Committee). This change directly affects the TBI's narcotics division and the legislative committees responsible for oversight. The bill modifies reporting procedures without altering the content or scope of the investigations themselves.
SB 406 expands which Tennessee courts in Shelby County can handle petitions for orders of protection. It allows criminal courts to process these petitions when the same court is already hearing a related criminal case involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victims. This change eliminates the need for victims to seek protection orders in a separate court, streamlining the process while the criminal case is active. The bill directly affects survivors of these specific crimes in Shelby County who are navigating both criminal and protection proceedings. The law took effect on April 24, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
SB 601 updates Tennessee's pretrial release rules for defendants using global positioning monitoring systems. It defines "qualified contract service providers" (companies managing GPS monitoring), requiring them to have 24/7 monitoring centers, written court protocols, and notify emergency dispatchers if defendants violate bond conditions. The bill also creates a process where courts must hold hearings within 10 days if defendants fall behind on monitoring costs, with options to revoke bond, require payment, or seek alternative funding (excluding local sheriff's departments). This directly affects defendants on monitored pretrial release, victims receiving alerts, courts imposing conditions, and private GPS monitoring companies.
SB 833 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to help serve orders of protection when they witness one being entered but the person hasn't been served. Specifically, officers must notify the sheriff's department of the person's location and other helpful details to facilitate service. The bill also mandates that the state's peace officer training curriculum include instruction on these requirements. This applies directly to law enforcement officers and sheriff's departments, aiming to improve enforcement of existing protection orders under Tennessee law.
HB 573 changes Tennessee's criminal law by lowering the threshold for a Class A felony conviction related to fentanyl derivatives. It reduces the amount of substances like fentanyl, carfentanil, or their analogues that trigger this severe penalty from 150 grams to 50 grams or more for offenses including manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possessing with intent to do so. This bill directly affects individuals involved in the distribution or possession of these substances at or above the new 50-gram threshold. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, as specified in the bill text.
