SB 170 requires Tennessee courts to suspend a minor's driving privileges or driver's license for one year when a juvenile is found delinquent for an act that would be considered harassment through bullying or cyberbullying. This policy change directly affects minors convicted of these specific offenses, adding a mandatory driving suspension to their court disposition. The bill amends Tennessee law (Title 37, 39, and 55) to implement this requirement, effective July 1, 2025. It does not create new offenses but modifies existing juvenile court sentencing options for bullying and cyberbullying cases.
HB 973 extends time limits for legal action related to child sexual abuse in Tennessee. It increases the criminal prosecution window from 25 to 30 years after the victim turns 18, and the civil lawsuit window from 15 to 30 years after the victim turns 18. The law directly affects victims of child sexual abuse who wish to pursue legal action later in life. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2025.
SB 1070 extends the time limits for filing criminal and civil cases involving child sexual abuse in Tennessee. For criminal cases, it increases the deadline from 25 to 30 years after the victim turns 18; for civil cases, it raises the deadline from 15 to 30 years after the victim turns 18. The bill also requires prosecutors to provide corroborating evidence for cases filed beyond these extended periods. It applies to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2025, and takes effect on that date. This change directly affects survivors seeking legal action for historical child sexual abuse.
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.
Senate Resolution 120 is a non-binding resolution urging the Tennessee Supreme Court to take two specific actions. It requests the court draft and adopt formal codes of conduct for district attorneys general, district public defenders, and court clerks - officials currently lacking such rules. Additionally, it asks the court to form a panel to investigate recent misconduct complaints against three elected district attorneys general. The resolution does not create new laws but seeks to establish accountability mechanisms for these justice system roles.
SB 1290 permanently removes a temporary expiration date for a law that excludes certain testing equipment from being classified as drug paraphernalia. Specifically, it makes permanent the exclusion of equipment used to test for synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) unless the equipment is used to commit a drug crime. This change directly affects harm reduction organizations, public health workers, and law enforcement using such tools for legitimate testing purposes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17-402 by deleting the prior repeal date of July 1, 2025. The law is now permanent and took effect April 3, 2025.
SB 19 allows Tennessee's Attorney General and Reporter to investigate and prosecute criminal violations by judicial officials (such as judges) or district attorney generals. This authority applies only when the Attorney General has sufficient evidence of a crime and either the local district attorney would face a personal, financial, or political conflict of interest in prosecuting the case, or a nepotism violation has been reported. The law ensures that cases involving potential conflicts can be handled by the Attorney General's office without relying on the conflicted local prosecutor. It does not change existing criminal laws but clarifies the process for such investigations.
SB 704 creates new Class B misdemeanor offenses for impersonating ride-hailing (e.g., Uber/Lyft) or traditional taxi drivers in Tennessee. It prohibits falsely using a company’s logo, claiming to be responding to a ride request, or making false statements about having a connection to these services. The law directly affects individuals who impersonate drivers to deceive passengers or gain unauthorized access to ride services. Violations are punishable as Class B misdemeanors, rising to Class E felonies if committed during another felony. The bill applies to all drivers of transportation network companies and private passenger-for-hire vehicles (like taxis), excluding personal vehicles used with ride-hailing apps.
SB 335, the "Voyeurism Victims Act," amends Tennessee law to specifically address unauthorized photography (voyeurism) by defining "unlawful photography" and expanding legal protections for victims. It adds new provisions to criminalize hidden-camera photography, multiple-victim cases, and extends the statute of limitations for prosecution by tolling it during the defendant's concealment of the crime. The bill also integrates "unlawful photography" into existing domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking protections, allowing victims to seek relief through related legal pathways. This law directly affects individuals who experience unauthorized photography, providing clearer legal recourse and updated penalties. It takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on March 25, 2025.
