DUANE SHERRILLEditor

Tennesseans now have some new laws to go by after the state passed new measures during their last session. Some notable laws that went into effect on July 1 include: 

Behavioral training for misdemeanor violations

Tennesseans who are convicted of a Class A misdemeanor in General Sessions Court will now have to complete behavioral training as part of their sentences. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious type of misdemeanors and carry up to 11-months, 29-days in jail. Types of Class A violations include but are not limited to assault with bodily injury, simple possession, DUI, theft and violation of restraining orders. The offender must pay for the class after service of time. Non-compliance can land the offender in jail for 10 days for contempt of court. 

Teen bullies lose licenses

The law suspends a juvenile’s driving privileges for one year if convicted of harassment, bullying, or cyberbullying. First-time offenders may qualify for a restricted-use license. 

AI-Generated Deepfakes

The law criminalizes the malicious use or threat of AI-generated intimate imagery, creating a Class E felony and offering civil recourse for victims. 

Voyeurism Victims Act

This legislation expands the definition of unlawful photography to include unauthorized images of unclothed intimate areas or sexual activity. Victims may now seek protective orders. 

PEACE Act

The Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism (PEACE) Act addresses hate littering, trespassing, police obstruction, and public safety concerns following extremist activities in Nashville. 

Increased wildlife penalties

The law raises the penalty for illegally taking wildlife while trespassing from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor and increases applicable fines to a maximum of $500. 

Boating exams online

Boaters can complete their boating safety exam online without needing a proctor. The change aims to improve access for residents in rural areas and those working daytime hours. 

Good Samaritan expanded

The expansion of the Good Samaritan Law extends immunity protections for individuals seeking medical help during alcohol overdoses. It extends coverage to certain alcohol-related misdemeanors, such as underage drinking and public intoxication, encouraging emergency calls without fear of prosecution. 

No excess billing

The new protection prohibits service providers from charging customers for an extra billing cycle when canceling phone, internet, or cable services mid-cycle. Noncompliance could result in penalties under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. 

Traffic obstruction

Parking or stopping a vehicle in a way that impedes traffic is now a Class C misdemeanor which increases to Class B misdemeanor if an accident results. 

Cancer coverage for firefighters

The coverage includes prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancers under the Barry Brady Act, which presumes certain cancers as job-related for firefighter compensation. 

Digital Vehicle Registration

The law requires that law enforcement accept digital copies of vehicle registration and proof of insurance as valid documentation.