HB 602, the "Voyeurism Victims Act," creates a specific criminal offense for non-consensual photography of intimate areas (unlawful photography) and expands victim protections. It defines the crime to include photos taken for sexual gratification, using hidden cameras, or involving multiple victims, and extends the statute of limitations for prosecution until the victim discovers the act. The bill also adds "unlawful photography victim" to Tennessee’s domestic violence and stalking protection orders, allowing affected individuals to seek legal relief through existing court processes. This law directly affects people who experience non-consensual intimate photo sharing, providing clearer legal pathways for accountability and support. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 122 amends Tennessee law to designate the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN) as the specific division within the Department of Safety responsible for operating, maintaining, and overseeing the statewide P25 interoperable communications system. The bill authorizes the Department of Safety to collect fees and assessments for the system's maintenance, use, and improvement - beyond existing fees for system access. All collected funds must be used exclusively for the system's maintenance, use, and improvement, as specified by department rules. This change clarifies administrative responsibility and funding mechanisms for emergency communications infrastructure used by law enforcement and public safety agencies.
HB 96 authorizes Tennessee's Attorney General and Reporter to investigate and prosecute judges, court officials, or district attorneys when local prosecutors might face a conflict of interest. It specifically applies if there's evidence a judicial official may have broken state criminal law or if a nepotism violation is reported. The law creates a direct pathway for the Attorney General to handle these cases instead of relying on local prosecutors who cannot act impartially. This changes Tennessee's process for addressing potential criminal conduct by judicial officials.
HB 1095 requires Tennessee's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to issue a certification to private special deputies appointed on or after January 1, 2026, if they meet police officer qualifications and complete an approved recruit training program. To maintain this certification, special deputies must also complete annual in-service training sessions relevant to their duties. The bill directly affects private special deputies employed by entities like private security firms or businesses with law enforcement authority. It updates existing training requirements in Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 38, and 49) to standardize certification for this specific role, effective March 28, 2025.
HB 72 establishes mandatory penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products to people under 21 in Tennessee. It requires a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and $500 fine for anyone convicted of knowingly selling such products to minors. The bill also prohibits retailers from allowing employees under 21 to access, handle, or sell these products on store premises. These rules directly affect retailers and their underage employees handling hemp-derived cannabinoid products, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 478 clarifies that a person does not commit a crime if they carry a firearm into an area where firearms are prohibited (e.g., posted private property) and either immediately leaves upon request by the property owner or stores the firearm in their vehicle as required by state law (TCA § 39-17-1313). The bill directly affects individuals carrying firearms on private property where guns are banned, such as businesses or events with posted restrictions. It modifies existing law (TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13) to explicitly exempt compliant behavior from criminal liability. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing firearm possession laws or create new restrictions.
HB 721 makes assault against school employees a Class E felony when it occurs during their official duties at specific locations: school grounds, school-sponsored activities, school-provided transportation, or official school bus stops. It directly affects K-12 school employees (teachers, staff, and administrators) in both public and private schools across Tennessee. The bill defines "educational employee" broadly to cover all staff working in grades K-12, raising the legal penalty for harming them while they perform job-related tasks. This policy change, effective July 1, 2025, elevates assault offenses from lower-level charges to felony status under these defined circumstances.
HB 836, titled the "Tennessee Cannabis Act," would legalize recreational cannabis use for adults aged 21 and older in Tennessee. It establishes regulations for licensing cannabis businesses, including requirements for product testing, child-resistant packaging, and restrictions on advertising near schools or parks. The bill defines key terms like "edible marijuana products" (e.g., food or drinks infused with cannabis) and sets standards for cultivation, manufacturing, and sales. It directly affects cannabis businesses, consumers, and local governments through new licensing processes and safety provisions.
HB 1222 would allow courts in Tennessee to issue emergency orders restricting a person’s access to firearms if a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer files a petition alleging the person poses an imminent risk of harm. The bill requires courts to issue these orders immediately if harm is imminent, prohibits the petitioner from paying court costs (shifting costs to the respondent), and mandates a hearing within 30 days to extend the order for up to one year. It specifically defines "family member," "household member," and "intimate partner" to clarify who can petition and ensures law enforcement receives copies to enforce the order. The bill, which amends Tennessee Code Titles 36 and 39, is currently pending (it failed in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee in April 2025).
HB 1391 automatically removes and destroys public court records for certain criminal convictions one year after sentence completion. It applies to eligible Class E felony and misdemeanor convictions under existing expunction rules, directly affecting individuals with these convictions who have completed their sentences. For cases after July 1, 2025, courts must notify clerks to initiate automatic removal without cost to the person. For pre-July 2025 convictions, individuals must request the process, but clerks cannot destroy records without a court order. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 10, 18, and 40 to implement this change.
