Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law relative to unlawful photography. - Amends TCA Section 39-13-605 and Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.
HB 99 revises Tennessee's unlawful photography law (TCA § 39-13-605) to strengthen penalties and protections. It upgrades certain offenses to higher felony classifications (e.g., Class E felony for non-minor offenses, Class D felony when a minor under 13 is involved), adds mandatory sex offender registration for violations, and specifies aggravating factors like using a position of trust over a victim. The law directly affects individuals who take unauthorized photos in private settings, particularly when minors under 13 are involved or the offender holds a position of authority over the victim. Key provisions include increased criminal penalties, mandatory registration under Tennessee’s sex offender registry, and updated definitions for sentencing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Signed May 21, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2025 · House Apr 22, 2025
How they voted
38–0
Passed
Total votes 38
Apr 22, 2025
D
Democratic7
100% Yea
R
Republican31
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
42
Key actions
25
Committee
21
May 21, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0454)
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. concurred in S. am. no. 1 Ayes 93, Nays 0 PNV 0 HB0099
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 91, Nays 0, PNV 1
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/9/2025
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/9/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/02/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/19/2025
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Gino Bulso
RRepublican
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