Criminal Offenses - As introduced, defines "criminally negligent conduct,” as used in the offense of criminally negligent homicide, to include failing or refusing to render aid to another person who is unconscious or in need of medical care and the person failing to act knows or reasonably should know that the unconsciousness or need for medical care occurred after the consumption of any controlled substance. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1955 amends Tennessee's criminally negligent homicide law to define "criminally negligent conduct" as including failing to render aid to someone unconscious or needing medical care after controlled substance use, when the bystander knows or should know about the substance connection. It directly affects individuals who witness medical emergencies involving drugs but choose not to assist. The key provision expands the criminal definition to cover such inaction, making it a specific element of the offense. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to cases involving controlled substances as defined in Tennessee law.