Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts "Matthew Davenport's Law," which creates certain criminal offenses and testing requirements related to Kratom. - Amends TCA Title 33, Chapter 2; Title 38; Title 39; Title 50; Title 63 and Title 68.
HB 1649, known as "Matthew Davenport's Law," makes it illegal to possess, manufacture, deliver, or sell Kratom (including synthetic versions) in Tennessee, with penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for possession to a Class B felony for selling to minors. The bill requires medical examiners to test decedents who died of suspected drug overdoses for Kratom, and mandates doctors to include Kratom testing in cases of suspected overdose or neonatal withdrawal symptoms in newborns. It also adds Kratom to the state’s definition of "drug" for regulatory purposes. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting individuals using Kratom, medical professionals, and law enforcement.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 15, 2026
Signed May 7, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
46
Key actions
16
Committee
14
Amendments
1
May 7, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Amended
Amendment tabled (Amendment 2 - SA1060)
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 23, Nays 2, PNV 4
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 78, Nays 9, PNV 8
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/2/2026
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 3/31/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Esther Helton-Haynes
RRepublican
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