HB 1449 redefines "drag racing" as "street drag racing" and expands the offense to include reckless driving for spectators and events on commercial property (like shopping centers or retail lots). It defines "drifting" as intentionally skidding a vehicle and broadens the term "participant" to cover organizers, promoters, and anyone facilitating street drag racing. The bill allows police to impound vehicles used in the offense or to flee (with the charged person paying fees) and authorizes vehicle forfeiture upon conviction. Additionally, reckless endangerment through street drag racing is now classified as a Class E felony.
HB 1095 requires Tennessee's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to issue a certification to private special deputies appointed on or after January 1, 2026, if they meet police officer qualifications and complete an approved recruit training program. To maintain this certification, special deputies must also complete annual in-service training sessions relevant to their duties. The bill directly affects private special deputies employed by entities like private security firms or businesses with law enforcement authority. It updates existing training requirements in Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 38, and 49) to standardize certification for this specific role, effective March 28, 2025.
SB 1174 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies using body cameras to adopt written policies governing their use. These policies must mandate that officers activate cameras during all public encounters (except immediate safety threats), wear them properly to capture footage, and notify people they're being recorded. The bill also specifies exceptions: officers must ask residents before entering homes without a warrant, victims of domestic violence or rape, and anonymous crime reporters if they want the camera turned off. These policies must include training for officers and cover how recordings are handled. The law directly affects all state and local law enforcement agencies that use body cameras and the public they interact with during patrols and investigations.
HB 954 requires all Tennessee law enforcement agencies to create and implement alternative crisis response units by January 1, 2026. These units must pair a full-time police officer with a qualified mental health professional who leads mental health-related emergency calls. The bill mandates the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to establish uniform training standards for these units and provide annual officer training on supporting mental health professionals during crisis calls. The law directly affects every law enforcement agency in Tennessee and updates state statutes to formalize this crisis response model.
SB 1032 requires Tennessee state and local government officials (including police, inspectors, and wildlife officers), as well as federal officials working within the state, to obtain a search warrant specifically identifying the person or property to be searched before entering private property. This applies to most searches, but exceptions exist for situations where courts recognize a warrantless search is justified (such as emergencies). Officials who fail to comply without a valid exception face a Class C misdemeanor charge. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and amends multiple sections of Tennessee law governing searches.
SB 478 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police officers and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill also ensures officers who served in active military duty during designated conflicts (and were unable to attend training due to service) receive the bonus regardless of training completion. This applies to officers at institutions covered under Tennessee’s campus law enforcement statutes. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 790 requires private special deputies in Tennessee (appointed on or after January 1, 2026) to obtain a certificate of compliance from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. To qualify, they must meet standard police officer requirements and complete an approved recruit training program. The bill also mandates annual in-service training sessions to maintain this certification. This law amends Tennessee Code to establish these training and certification standards for private special deputies.
HB 55 creates new misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee for deliberately refusing to provide one's name to law enforcement during a lawful detention or arrest, or for intentionally giving a false name. It also establishes misdemeanor penalties for approaching within 25 feet of an officer who has ordered you to stop, and for riding in the cargo area of a box truck (defined as enclosed vehicles without passenger seats). The law directly affects individuals interacting with police, drivers using specific vehicle configurations, and those placing signs on public infrastructure without permission. Key provisions include classifying these violations as misdemeanors (Class B or C) and clarifying that failing to show ID isn't a violation if verbal identification is attempted. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 741 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies that use body cameras to create written policies governing their use. The bill mandates that officers activate cameras during calls for service and encounters with the public (except during immediate threats), notify subjects they are being recorded, and keep cameras on until the encounter ends. Exceptions include turning cameras off when a private resident requests it, when interacting with domestic abuse or rape victims, or with anonymous crime tipsters. The policy must also prohibit using body cameras to record First Amendment activities unrelated to police responses. This directly affects all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and officers using body-worn cameras.
HB 158 creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for individuals who knowingly approach within 25 feet of a first responder (including police, firefighters, EMTs, or corrections officers) after receiving a verbal warning, if they intend to impede the responder’s duties, threaten physical harm, or harass them. The bill defines "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress through a course of conduct with no legitimate purpose. It directly affects people who target first responders during official duties, such as during emergency calls or patrols. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to any situation where a verbal warning was given before the approach.
