Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for assaulting a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $5,000 and a mandatory minimum of 30 days incarceration to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum of 60 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.
SB 1900 increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in Tennessee by upgrading the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change mandates a $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence for assaulting police officers or other first responders, compared to the current $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum for assaulting nurses. The bill specifically amends Tennessee law to impose these stricter penalties for assaults on law enforcement, while keeping existing misdemeanor penalties for assaults on nurses. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers or first responders.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 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
29
Key actions
9
Committee
5
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
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 74, Nays 15, PNV 1
lower
Apr 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 3
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/7/2026
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/17/2026
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Jan 22, 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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