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 240 expands Tennessee's definition of "organized retail crime" to include using social media or online marketplaces to coordinate selling, trading, or bartering stolen merchandise. It adds specific acts to the offense, such as tampering with anti-theft devices, interfering with fire alarms during theft, and possessing stolen items for resale. The bill also increases penalties for certain violations, like when property is destroyed or a weapon is used, by elevating the offense classification. These changes directly affect individuals engaging in retail theft, particularly those using digital platforms to organize criminal activity.
SB 215 establishes new 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 law also prohibits retailers from allowing employees under 21 to access, handle, or sell these products on store premises. These provisions amend Tennessee Code sections governing retail sales and criminal penalties, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 120 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: intentionally obstructing officers from entering, leaving, or moving within areas where they protect vulnerable individuals, and refusing to vacate restricted zones when ordered for safety. It directly affects anyone who interferes with the Division of Protective Services (including highway patrol and law enforcement officers) while they are safeguarding people under their protection. Violating these provisions is a Class A misdemeanor, but becomes a Class E felony if the person posed a threat to the protected individual. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all locations where protective services are actively engaged.
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.
SB 243 creates a Class E felony for altering, defacing, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or distinguishing mark, or for selling, purchasing, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle firearms with altered markings. The bill imposes a mandatory minimum 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no possibility of early release. This law amends Tennessee Code sections covering criminal offenses related to firearms and takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 17 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to share an individual’s immigration status with federal officials only when that person has been arrested for a criminal offense. It exempts school resource officers regarding students and people not arrested (such as victims or witnesses). The bill imposes a $1,000 civil penalty for noncompliance, enforceable by the attorney general. This bill failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 17, 2025, and has not advanced further.
