HB 579 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include "robbery" in the legal definition of "crime of violence" under Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13. This change directly affects robbery cases by classifying them under the same sentencing framework as other violent crimes like murder, aggravated assault, and kidnapping. The bill updates the statutory definition to ensure robbery is treated as a crime of violence for legal and sentencing purposes. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 1025 requires courts to suspend a minor’s driving privileges or ability to obtain a driver’s license for one year when a minor is found delinquent for acts that would be classified as harassment by bullying or cyberbullying under Tennessee law. This applies to all juvenile court dispositions for such offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-308(d)(2), 37, 39, and 55-10-700 to mandate this suspension as part of standard sentencing. It directly affects minors convicted of bullying or cyberbullying offenses in juvenile court, adding a driving restriction to their court-ordered consequences.
HB 749 creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for operating a vehicle in Tennessee with an out-of-state driver license issued exclusively to individuals without lawful immigration status. The bill specifically targets licenses marked or designed to distinguish undocumented immigrants from other license holders, defining them as "invalid" in Tennessee. It requires the state to publish and maintain a list of such invalid license types by December 2025. This law directly affects non-residents holding these specific out-of-state licenses, making their use a punishable offense. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2026, with related administrative provisions effective immediately upon enactment.
HB 527 modifies Tennessee's parole laws by removing a restriction that previously prevented parole boards from denying parole solely based on an offense's seriousness for certain crimes. The bill amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35, Part 5 to allow parole boards to deny release for *any* offense if they determine it would "depreciate the seriousness of the crime" or "promote disrespect for the law." This change directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking parole, as it expands the criteria parole boards can use to deny release. The bill does not alter sentencing or create new penalties but shifts the parole decision-making standard.
HJR 49 proposes amending Tennessee's constitution to restrict bail for specific serious crimes. It would eliminate the right to bail for defendants charged with terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape (including of children), grave torture, or other offenses where a conviction would require serving at least 85% of the sentence before release. This change would apply when evidence is strong or the presumption of guilt is high. The amendment requires judges to document bail decisions for these cases and must be approved by voters in the 2026 election. It directly affects individuals charged with these offenses before trial.
HB 468 increases criminal penalties for reckless endangerment involving firearms discharged into vehicles. If a motor vehicle is occupied, discharging a firearm (including antique firearms) into it becomes a Class C felony; if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill amends Tennessee law to specify these penalty levels under reckless endangerment statutes. This change directly affects individuals who recklessly fire weapons into vehicles, raising the severity of potential criminal charges based on whether the vehicle was occupied at the time. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 573 changes Tennessee's criminal law by lowering the threshold for a Class A felony conviction related to fentanyl derivatives. It reduces the amount of substances like fentanyl, carfentanil, or their analogues that trigger this severe penalty from 150 grams to 50 grams or more for offenses including manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possessing with intent to do so. This bill directly affects individuals involved in the distribution or possession of these substances at or above the new 50-gram threshold. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, as specified in the bill text.
HB 1165 amends Tennessee sentencing laws to require judges to consider as a sentencing factor that an adult defendant committed a criminal offense with a minor, regardless of whether the minor was convicted. This change directly affects adult defendants in criminal cases where a minor was involved in the offense. The bill adds this factor to the list of considerations judges must weigh when determining a sentence within the legally permitted range. It applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025, and would impact sentencing outcomes for such cases statewide.
HB 207 expands Tennessee's organized retail crime law to specifically criminalize using online marketplaces or social media to coordinate selling, bartering, or trading stolen merchandise for gain. It adds 10 new prohibited acts, including removing anti-shoplifting devices, interfering with fire alarms during thefts, returning stolen goods to retailers, and possessing 10+ fraudulently obtained access devices (like gift cards). The bill increases penalties for offenses involving weapons or property destruction by one classification. This law directly affects individuals coordinating organized theft and retailers impacted by such crimes, with effective date July 1, 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.
