HB 184 creates a new Class C felony for reckless endangerment classified as "community terrorism," defined as gang-related acts against populations in a geographic area or within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, or other public spaces like libraries. Convicted individuals face a mandatory 5-year driver's license revocation or prohibition (with limited exceptions for work/medical needs), plus GPS monitoring to enforce geographic restrictions near the crime site. The law applies specifically to offenses committed by criminal gang members or near protected locations, requiring courts to order these penalties alongside sentencing. Reinstatement of a driver's license is only possible after five years, with strict requirements for restricted use and court approval.
HB 473 requires law enforcement in Tennessee to collect a mouth swab DNA sample from anyone arrested for a felony offense on or after July 1, 2025. The sample must be taken before the person is released from custody and sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for analysis. If charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted, the DNA sample and records must be destroyed, unless other felony charges are pending. This law directly affects all individuals arrested for felonies in Tennessee after the effective date.
HB 944 prohibits the possession of specific firearms defined as "assault weapons" (including models like AR-15s, AK-47s, and certain semiautomatic rifles/pistols) in Tennessee. It requires current owners to apply for a "certificate of possession" by July 1, 2025, to legally retain these weapons. The bill also creates a Class E felony for purchasing, selling, or possessing parts designed to accelerate fire in semiautomatic rifles, making any rifle equipped with such parts a "prohibited weapon." This directly affects Tennessee residents owning the listed firearms or related components.
HB 99 revises Tennessee's unlawful photography law (TCA § 39-13-605) to strengthen penalties and protections. It upgrades certain offenses to higher felony classifications (e.g., Class E felony for non-minor offenses, Class D felony when a minor under 13 is involved), adds mandatory sex offender registration for violations, and specifies aggravating factors like using a position of trust over a victim. The law directly affects individuals who take unauthorized photos in private settings, particularly when minors under 13 are involved or the offender holds a position of authority over the victim. Key provisions include increased criminal penalties, mandatory registration under Tennessee’s sex offender registry, and updated definitions for sentencing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 578 expands Tennessee's list of "dangerous felonies" to include new offenses like human trafficking, aggravated stalking, methamphetamine manufacturing, and drug trafficking. This change means that if someone possesses a firearm (including antique firearms) while committing or attempting any of these newly listed crimes, they face enhanced penalties. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who own firearms, increasing legal consequences for firearm possession during such crimes. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1324 to add 14 new offenses to the existing dangerous felony list, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 751 creates a new criminal offense in Tennessee for knowingly exposing children to fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or related drugs in a way that places them in immediate risk of death, injury, or impairment. It directly affects adults who possess these substances in the presence of children. The law classifies this as a Class E felony for children over age 8 and a more serious Class B felony for children age 8 or younger. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 39-15-401 to establish these penalties, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 45 increases the penalty for child abuse of children aged 9 to 17 from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-15-401(a) to impose this stricter penalty for knowingly causing injury to a child in this age group through abusive treatment. This change will take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date. The law directly affects individuals convicted of such child abuse by elevating their criminal penalties under Tennessee statute.
HB 1093 amends Tennessee law to strengthen firearm regulations. It expands the definition of "machine gun" to include parts designed solely to convert a firearm into a machine gun, and increases penalties for possessing, making, or selling such devices from a Class E to a Class C felony. The bill also changes penalties for other gun-related offenses and makes defendants ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm used from within a vehicle. These changes apply to Tennessee residents and anyone violating these provisions within the state. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.
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 1089 increases the mandatory court fee amount from $1.00 to $2.00 per municipal court case that must be forwarded by municipal court clerks to the state treasurer. The funds are specifically designated to cover administrative costs for training and continuing education programs for municipal court judges and clerks. This change, effective July 1, 2025, modifies Tennessee law (TCA Titles 16 and 17) to provide additional funding for judicial and clerical professional development. The bill directly affects municipal court operations and the administrative office of the courts, with no changes to the fee structure for case participants.
