Several new public safety and immigration laws will take effect across the state on July 1. These measures "reflect the General Assembly’s commitment to combating organized crime, securing communities, and deterring illegal immigration," officials said.
“These laws represent common-sense reforms that protect Tennesseans from growing threats of crime and illegal immigration ” said Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), who championed some of the new public safety laws. “From the border to our backyards, we are working harder than a clown at a funeral to make crime illegal again.”
Key laws passed by the General Assembly going into effect July 1 include:
Human smuggling crackdown - Senate Bill 392<
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0392&GA=114> sponsored by Sen.
Taylor
A new Class E felony offense targets traffickers who knowingly conceal or transport illegal immigrants for financial gain. Aggravated offenses involving children carry Class A felony charges.
Organized retail crime prevention - Senate Bill 240<
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0240> sponsored by Sen. Taylor
A new law closes loopholes in Tennessee's criminal code to dismantle theft rings that cost Tennessee retailers an estimated $500 million in losses annually while the state loses $117 million in tax revenue each year.
Mass violence threats and doxxing - Senate Bill 1296<
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1296> sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin)
On July 1, enhanced felony penalties will take effect for threats of mass violence to schools or public events, increasing the penalty from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The measure also criminalizes doxxing with a Class B misdemeanor to deter online harassment and public safety threats.
Rideshare impersonation ban - Senate Bill 704<
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0704> sponsored by Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville)
A new law criminalizes impersonating a rideshare driver with a Class B misdemeanor to prevent attacks and improve passenger safety.
Public order and protest laws - Senate Bill 30<
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0030&GA=114> sponsored by Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon)
New misdemeanors address illegal protest tactics, unauthorized traffic obstruction and giving false information to the police.