Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the criminal offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence; creates the criminal offense of posting on a publicly accessible website the telephone number or home address of an individual with the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm to the individual or a member of the individual's family or household. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 8 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 3.
SB 1296 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: (1) threatening to commit "mass violence" (defined as an act likely to cause serious injury or death to four or more people), and (2) posting someone’s home address or phone number online with intent to cause harm. The bill directly affects individuals whose personal information is shared online for malicious purposes and targets threats made in places like schools, government buildings, or events. Violations of the first offense range from a Class E felony (standard) to Class D felony if the threat involves schools, events, or weapons preparation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and excludes public officials acting within legal duties.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Last action May 27, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
6
Committee
7
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 6, Nays 2 PNV 0
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jack Johnson
RRepublican
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