Rep. Shaundelle Brooks

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors the memory of Akilah DaSilva, DeEbony Groves, Joe Perez, and Taurean Sanderlin on the eighth anniversary of their deaths in the 2018 Waffle House mass shooting in Antioch, Tennessee. The bill formally recognizes these four victims as beloved members of the community whose lives were tragically cut short, while expressing sympathy and support for their families and friends. It does not change laws or policies but serves as an official state acknowledgment of the individuals and the impact of the tragedy.

Maddy summaryHB 1722 would exempt the retail sale of food and food ingredients from Tennessee's sales tax when sold between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on the fifth day of every month. This exemption applies only to standard retail sales, excluding transactions from micro markets or vending machines. The policy change would take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affects grocery stores, restaurants, and other retailers selling eligible food products on the specified day.

Maddy summaryHB 1862 requires Tennessee state and local elected officials' personally identifying information (like home addresses or phone numbers) to be kept confidential by government entities, with limited exceptions. It mandates redaction of this information in public records while ensuring access to otherwise public data isn't blocked. Exceptions include law enforcement, courts, and officials who personally authorize disclosure - this does not affect existing public personnel records. The bill directly affects elected officials by protecting their personal details from routine public access, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 947, "Akilah's Law," creates a new criminal offense for selling, offering to sell, delivering, or transferring a firearm to someone known to have been a patient in a mental health facility within the past five years. It directly affects firearm sellers and individuals with recent mental health institutionalization (excluding those treated solely for voluntary alcohol abuse without other conditions). The law amends Tennessee statutes to prohibit these transactions and defines "mental institution" broadly to include hospitals, clinics, and evaluation facilities. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all firearm transfers, not just sales.

Maddy summaryHB 1861 modifies Tennessee's probation rules for felony offenders who violate probation by committing a drug offense. For a first-time violation involving a drug offense, the bill requires judges to order substance abuse treatment instead of revoking probation and suspension of sentence. The law applies when a judge finds by "more likely than not" evidence that the violation occurred. This change aims to prioritize treatment over punishment for initial drug-related probation breaches.

Maddy summaryHB 1721 would prevent courts from charging defendants with court costs in Tennessee criminal cases under three specific circumstances: when a defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge on all charges), when the state dismisses charges or enters a "nolle prosequi" (a formal decision not to prosecute), or when a court dismisses the charges. This directly affects individuals who are acquitted or have their criminal cases dropped without conviction. The bill amends Tennessee law to require courts to waive all court costs in these situations, eliminating financial penalties for cleared defendants. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 954 requires all Tennessee law enforcement agencies to create and implement alternative crisis response units by January 1, 2026. These units must pair a full-time police officer with a qualified mental health professional who leads mental health-related emergency calls. The bill mandates the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to establish uniform training standards for these units and provide annual officer training on supporting mental health professionals during crisis calls. The law directly affects every law enforcement agency in Tennessee and updates state statutes to formalize this crisis response model.

Maddy summaryHB 956 requires most firearm sales or transfers in Tennessee to occur through a federally licensed gun dealer, with limited exemptions. Key exemptions include transfers between family members (if the recipient is 18+ and not barred from owning firearms), sales of antique firearms, dealer-to-dealer transactions, and transfers to law enforcement. Violating this rule is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by fines of $500-$10,000, up to 9 months in jail, or a 2-year firearm possession ban. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals buying, selling, or transferring firearms outside dealer channels.

Maddy summaryHB 949 requires all firearm owners in Tennessee to store firearms in a locked container or equipped with a safety device that renders them inoperable to unauthorized users. This applies to firearms kept in any location, except when carried by the owner or a lawfully authorized user. Violating this rule is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months in jail or a fine. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1441 raises the penalty for impersonating a law enforcement officer in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony when the impersonation occurs during the commission or attempt of a violent crime. It maintains the current misdemeanor penalty for impersonation while driving a vehicle (with a $5,000 fine maximum) and for other non-violent cases. The bill specifically targets individuals who use impersonation as part of violent criminal activity, making the offense a felony under those circumstances. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.