Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts the "Grace Anne Sparks Coercive Suicide Prevention Law of 2026." - Amends TCA Title 39.
SB 1815 creates a new Class D felony offense for AI system owners who permit their systems to advise or encourage suicide when the user has already communicated suicidal intent. Specifically, it targets owners of AI systems (including generative AI like chatbots) that, knowing the user expressed intent to harm themselves, provide suicide-related advice without adequate safeguards. The law applies if the AI owner negligently allowed the system to remain accessible to the user during this high-risk period. This bill directly affects AI developers and companies operating systems in Tennessee, imposing criminal liability for specific AI interactions involving imminent suicide risk. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 21, 2026
Signed May 22, 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
25
Key actions
10
Committee
3
Amendments
2
May 22, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 31, Nays 0 (Amendment 2 - HA1218)
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0572)
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA1218)
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 93, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0563)
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Paul Bailey
RRepublican
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