SB 468, the "Women's Safety and Protection Act," defines "female" and "male" biologically (based on reproductive systems at birth) for state law applications. It requires Tennessee state agencies to maintain separate facilities and accommodations for biological females in correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, domestic violence shelters, restrooms, and dormitories to protect safety and privacy. The bill mandates that biological sex - not gender identity - determines eligibility for these spaces, prohibiting agencies from banning such distinctions in settings where safety or privacy is a concern. It applies directly to women, girls, and facilities serving them, with specific provisions for restrooms, sleeping quarters, and shelter access. The law overrides conflicting state laws to enforce these biological sex-based definitions.
SB 375 increases penalties for driving without a valid license in Tennessee. A first offense becomes a Class B misdemeanor (up from Class C), and a second or subsequent offense within 10 years becomes a Class A misdemeanor. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-11-101 and 55-50-301 to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2025. It directly affects drivers convicted of operating a vehicle without a valid license.
HB 69 requires Tennessee to create two secure electronic portals by January 1, 2028, to verify voter eligibility before processing registration applications. The first portal will let county election offices check if applicants are U.S. citizens using records from the Department of Safety (like driver's license data), and the second will verify felony conviction status using Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) records. The bill also updates driver's license laws to require proof of U.S. citizenship for new licenses and removes references to non-citizens in eligibility criteria. These changes directly affect voter applicants, county election administrators, and the Department of Safety/TBI in their verification processes.
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 1314 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee. First, it makes it a felony (Class E or D depending on circumstances) to recklessly threaten mass violence (defined as an act likely to cause serious harm to four or more people), especially if targeting schools, government buildings, or events. Second, it creates a misdemeanor (Class B or A) for posting someone’s home address or phone number online with the intent to cause harm to them or their family. The law applies to all individuals, including threats made via social media or text, but excludes public officials acting within their legal duties. Violators may face prison time and be ordered to pay restitution for disruptions caused by their threats.
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.
