Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for engaging in harassing behavior against a first responder engaged in official duties under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 979 creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of a first responder (including police, firefighters, EMTs, or corrections officers) during official duties after being verbally warned not to, when the intent is to impede their work, threaten them, or cause emotional distress. The law directly affects individuals who harass first responders in these specific circumstances while they are performing their duties. Key provisions require a prior verbal warning, define "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress with no legitimate purpose, and specify the three prohibited intents. This bill aims to protect first responders from disruptive or threatening behavior during emergency operations.