Maddy summaryHB 184 creates a new Class C felony for reckless endangerment classified as "community terrorism," defined as gang-related acts against populations in a geographic area or within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, or other public spaces like libraries. Convicted individuals face a mandatory 5-year driver's license revocation or prohibition (with limited exceptions for work/medical needs), plus GPS monitoring to enforce geographic restrictions near the crime site. The law applies specifically to offenses committed by criminal gang members or near protected locations, requiring courts to order these penalties alongside sentencing. Reinstatement of a driver's license is only possible after five years, with strict requirements for restricted use and court approval.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1113 would require Tennessee public school students participating in athletic activities to submit either a physical exam form signed by a healthcare provider or a parent/guardian-signed exemption form (based on sincerely held beliefs). It creates a Safe Stars Advisory Committee composed of education and health officials to develop educational materials about sudden cardiac arrest symptoms, EKG testing options, and cardiac safety for students, parents, and coaches. The committee would create resources explaining warning signs (like fainting or chest pains) and the option for additional EKG testing at the student’s expense. These materials would be published online by the education and health departments.
Maddy summaryHB 2296 would require Tennessee courts to impose GPS monitoring as a condition of release for defendants charged with specific offenses, including domestic assault, vehicle burglaries, and offenses involving firearms or violence, unless the court makes a written finding that the defendant does not pose a threat to victims or public safety. Courts must report monthly to the administrative office of the courts on the number of defendants under GPS monitoring, and this office would compile an annual report for the legislature. The bill applies to cases such as domestic assault (under § 39-13-111), vehicle burglaries (§ 39-13-1002), reckless driving (§ 55-10-205), and repeat offenses. This policy adds GPS monitoring as a standard requirement for these offenses, with a safeguard to avoid unnecessary monitoring.
Maddy summaryHB 1064 requires courts to order GPS monitoring for defendants accused of specific serious offenses as a condition of bail, including cases involving firearms, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat offenses. It directly affects individuals charged with these offenses who are released before trial. Key provisions mandate GPS monitoring unless the court finds the defendant no longer poses a threat, require monthly court reporting on monitored defendants, and update bail condition procedures. The bill also modifies related laws to clarify victim protections and reporting requirements for violations.
Maddy summaryHB 625 creates an automatic presumption requiring emergency detention and mental evaluation for defendants charged with specific serious crimes (those carrying 85% mandatory sentence time before parole eligibility) who are ordered by a court to undergo a mental evaluation for competency or mental state at the time of the crime. This presumption can only be overturned by "clear and convincing evidence" showing the person poses no immediate risk of serious harm. The bill directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee facing certain violent or severe offenses who are undergoing court-ordered mental health assessments. It amends Tennessee law in Titles 33, 40, and 52 to establish this new standard for emergency detention.
Maddy summaryHB 2298 amends Tennessee's aggravated assault law to include "brandishing" a weapon as an aggravating factor. It defines "brandish" as waving or exhibiting a weapon in a threatening manner that a reasonable person would interpret as a threat to use it. This change affects how prosecutors charge aggravated assault cases involving weapons and sets a clear legal standard for what constitutes brandishing. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-102 and adds a definition to Section 39-11-106, effective July 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 626 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to take specific action when they observe someone who has an active order of protection against them but hasn't been served the document. If an officer sees this situation in person, they must notify the sheriff's department of the person's location and other details to help serve the order. The bill also mandates that officer training programs include instruction on these requirements. This law directly affects police officers and sheriff's departments by changing how they handle unserved protection orders during encounters.
Maddy summaryHB 993 amends Tennessee law to change the composition of industrial development corporation boards. It removes a restriction preventing county officers from serving on these boards and requires the county assessor of property and county trustee to be added as ex-officio, non-voting members. This change directly affects county officials who will now automatically serve on these boards, aligning their membership with their elected terms. The bill does not alter the corporations' economic development functions but specifies who must be included on their governing boards. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1451 requires every Tennessee county to establish an ethics commission by January 1, 2027. Each commission must have six members: two appointed by the county mayor and four by the county legislative body, with equal representation from majority and minority parties. The commissions will provide ethical guidance to county officials, receive and investigate citizen complaints about misconduct, and have authority to subpoena witnesses, issue advisory opinions, and refer criminal violations to law enforcement. This bill directly affects all 95 Tennessee counties and their elected and appointed county officials.
Maddy summaryHB 2294 prohibits Tennessee governmental entities and prison contractors from blocking specific officials from entering correctional facilities housing non-citizens (aliens) for oversight purposes. The bill explicitly prevents denial of entry to U.S. Congress members, their designated staff, Tennessee state legislators, and their designated staff. It also bans making temporary facility modifications that would alter what observers see during oversight visits. This law does not require prior notice for entry in cases of riots, health threats, or outbreaks.