Criminal Offenses - As enacted, expands the criminal offense of harassment to include harassment that occurs by communicating in the physical presence of the victim, in addition to in writing, by telephone, or electronically. - Amends TCA Title 39.
SB 28 expands Tennessee's harassment law to include face-to-face communication as a form of harassment, in addition to existing methods like text, phone, or online messages. This change directly affects individuals who engage in threatening or intimidating behavior while physically present with a victim, such as verbal threats during stalking or nonverbal intimidation in person. The bill amends the definition of "communicate" in state law to explicitly cover in-person contact, alongside written, electronic, or telephone interactions. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, broadening the legal scope for prosecuting harassment cases that occur through physical presence.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Signed May 9, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 3, 2025
How they voted
31–3
Passed
Total votes 34
Apr 3, 2025
D
Democratic5
60% Nay
R
Republican29
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
8
Committee
4
May 9, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 2, PNV 4
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 26, Nays 3
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/25/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/24/2025
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mark Pody
RRepublican
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