TennesseeStarting July 2026, Tennessee law sets felony penalties for assaults on officers and first responders
Starting July 1, 2026, people convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer or first responder under subsection (a) face a felony, a required fine, and at least 60 days in jail.
What it does
Starting July 1, 2026, assault against a law enforcement officer or first responder under subsection (a) carries a felony conviction, a $10,000 fine, and at least 60 days in jail.
Argument forThe felony penalty and required time in jail may discourage assaults on officers and first responders while they work.
Argument againstA $10,000 fine and at least 60 days in jail could create a serious financial and personal burden for people convicted of these assaults.
More detail
The law classifies assault against a law enforcement officer or first responder under subsection (a) as a Class E felony. This applies to assault against a law enforcement officer or first responder under subsection (a). The offense carries a mandatory $10,000 fine and a mandatory minimum of 60 days in jail. The person cannot be released until they have served all 60 days. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1104Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 22Passed H., Ayes 74, Nays 15, PNV 1Passed House
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Failed. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 20Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 3Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/20/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 20Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 20Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 17Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/21/2026
- Apr 17Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
- Apr 7Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 4/7/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 7Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 1Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/7/2026
- Apr 1Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 16Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 13Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 10Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 17Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 2/17/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 11Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/17/2026
- Feb 9Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 4Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 2Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 22Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 21Filed for introductionIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety