SB 457 lowers the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold for aggravated vehicular assault and homicide in Tennessee. It reduces the required BAC level from 0.20% to 0.15% for these offenses, making it easier to prove these crimes in court. The bill directly affects drivers charged with serious alcohol-related offenses under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-115 (aggravated vehicular assault) and 39-13-218 (aggravated vehicular homicide). The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all cases filed on or after that date. This is a substantive policy adjustment to the legal definition of these crimes, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
SB 769 changes Tennessee law to treat unauthorized possession of a used, detached catalytic converter as a felony instead of a minor misdemeanor. It makes this offense punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses that possess catalytic converters without authorization, such as scrap recyclers or those who may have stolen them. This policy update strengthens penalties to deter catalytic converter theft, which is a growing problem across the state.
HB 322 creates a new criminal offense of "human smuggling" under Tennessee law, directly affecting individuals who transport people across borders for financial gain while concealing them from authorities. The bill defines human smuggling as transporting 10+ adults or 5+ minors (knowing they entered the U.S. illegally) to avoid detection by law enforcement, or encouraging such entry. It classifies this as a Class E felony, punishable by up to 6 years in prison, and adds misdemeanor penalties for harboring individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. The law also grants the state attorney general authority to seek court orders dissolving organizations involved in trafficking or smuggling.
SB 392 creates a new Class E felony offense for "human smuggling" in Tennessee, defined as knowingly transporting 10+ adults or 5+ minors across state lines while concealing them from immigration authorities, with knowledge they entered the U.S. illegally. It also establishes a Class A misdemeanor for harboring undocumented immigrants (a $1,000 fine per person). The law amends Tennessee Code to include human smuggling under "human trafficking offenses" and grants the Attorney General authority to seek court orders dissolving organizations involved in these crimes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 30 creates new misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee, primarily targeting individuals who intentionally provide false names to law enforcement during lawful detention or arrest (Section 4). It also prohibits transporting people in the enclosed cargo area of box trucks (defined as vehicles without passenger seats/safety belts) and restricts approaching within 25 feet of officers performing duties after being ordered to stop (Sections 5-6). Additionally, the bill bans unauthorized signage on bridges/highways without maintenance entity permission (Section 7) and amends procedures for police citations (Sections 8-9). These changes directly affect people detained by police, drivers using box trucks for passengers, and individuals placing signage on public infrastructure. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 370 expands Tennessee's harassment law to include in-person communication as a criminal offense, not just written, phone, or electronic contact. The bill amends state law to define "communicate" broadly, covering physical presence interactions (like shouting or gestures face-to-face), verbal exchanges, and digital messages. This change directly affects individuals who engage in harassment through direct physical interactions, making such conduct punishable under existing harassment statutes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, updating how harassment is legally defined without altering penalties.
HB 190 lowers the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold for aggravated vehicular assault and homicide charges in Tennessee. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-115(b)(2)(A) and 39-13-218(a)(3) to reduce the minimum BAC level from 0.20% to 0.15% for these offenses. This change directly affects defendants charged with aggravated vehicular assault (requiring 0.15% BAC in blood/breath) or homicide (requiring 0.15% BAC in blood). The bill makes it easier for prosecutors to pursue aggravated charges at a lower blood alcohol level than previously required. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 1140 reclassifies the unauthorized possession of a used, detached catalytic converter as a Class E felony in Tennessee, instead of a Class A misdemeanor. This change subjects offenders to potential jail time (up to 11 months, 29 days), a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses possessing catalytic converters without authorization, such as scrap dealers or auto repair shops. It amends Tennessee criminal code sections in Titles 38, 39, 55, and 62 to implement this penalty upgrade, effective July 1, 2025.
SB 464 amends Tennessee's bail bond laws to set a minimum 5% premium fee for bonds, replacing the previous 10% cap. It directly affects defendants using bail bonds and bondsmen/insurance agents by requiring fees to be between 5% and 10% of the bond amount (e.g., $125-$250 on a $2,500 bond), while allowing up to 15% for certain bond types. The bill changes specific sections of Tennessee Code (40-11-151, 40-11-316, and 40-11-316(c)) to establish these new fee ranges. It takes effect July 1, 2025, impacting all professional bondsmen and insurance agents providing appearance bonds for criminal cases.
HB 1204 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws. It allows law enforcement officers to assist qualified medical practitioners in using reasonable force to obtain blood samples from drivers suspected of DUI, and increases the maximum sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. The blood sample provision takes effect immediately upon enactment, while the sentencing change will take effect on July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects drivers charged with DUI in Tennessee by altering evidence collection procedures and penalties.
