New Tennessee Laws Going Into Effect On July 1st – Death Penalty, Immigration Reporting, Cause Of Action For Gender Trafficking Of Minors & More

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

The Tennessee General Assembly passed a slew of new laws during this year’s legislative session that will be going into effect on July 1^st. Here are just a few of them.

Laken Riley Act of 2024 (HB1909)

Specifies that “it is not a criminal offense for an adult person to carry or possess pepper spray, a taser, or another similar device for purposes of self-defense” while on public college or university property. This includes non-lethal weapons like pepper gel, mace, and stun guns.

Bill Allowing Non-Lethal Weapon Carry On Tennessee Public College Campuses Signed Into Law

Jillian’s Law (HB1640)

Closes loophole for repeat offenders by mandating that instead of simply being released, any criminal defendant who is determined “not competent to stand trial” will be committed to a treatment facility until the defendant’s competency is restored or the person no longer meets the criteria.

Legislation That Closes Loophole For Repeat Offenders Signed By Tennessee Governor

Death Penalty for Child Rapists (HB1663)

Authorizes the death penalty for charges of rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, or especially aggravated rape of a child.

Gov. Lee Signs Legislation That Allows Death Penalty For Child Rape Cases In Tennessee

Illegal Immigration Status Reporting (HB2124 & SB0757)

Requires law enforcement agencies in Tennessee to report illegal immigrants in custody for other infractions to the federal government.

Governor Lee Signs New Tennessee Law Mandating Law Enforcement Reporting Of Illegal Aliens

Tennessee Legislature Approves Bill To Collect, Compile Data On Illegal Immigrant Costs

Tennessee Foster and Adoptive Parent Protection Act (SB1738)

Prohibits the Department of Children’s Services from requiring adoptive and foster parents and families to support policies concerning the affirmation of sexual orientations or gender identities that may conflict with their beliefs.

Law Protecting Religious Rights Of Foster, Adoptive Parents Signed By Governor Lee

Geoengineering Ban (SB2691)

Aims to prohibit the intentional injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals into the air within the borders of Tennessee in an attempt to modify the weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity.

Despite Misinformed Attacks, Tennessee Geoengineering Ban Is Signed Into Law

Trafficking of Minors for “Gender Affirming Care” (SB2782)

Creates a civil cause of action against any person who intentionally “recruits, harbors, or transports” an unemancipated minor out of the state for the purposes of receiving a prohibited medical procedure (i.e. “gender affirming care”) without the consent of their parents.

Tennessee Law Will Now Allow Civil Lawsuits Against Those Who Traffic Minors For Gender Altering Medical Procedures Without Parental Consent

Penalties for School Bullying (HB2590)

Increases the consequences of bullying and cyberbullying, making the penalty the same as the penalty for harassment. Also requires an officer to notify a parent or guardian when the victim is a minor.

New Tennessee Law Increases Penalties For Bullying In Schools

Felony for Illegally Blocking Roadways (SB2570)

Makes illegally blocking a roadway into a felony offense instead of a misdemeanor and creates a cause of action for a person who suffers loss or injury due to an intentional obstruction.

Tennessee Bill Would Make Illegally Blocking Roadways A Felony

Limits Gun Ownership for Previous Juvenile Offenders (HB1600)

Prohibits the purchase or possession of a firearm “by a person under 25 if the person was previously adjudicated delinquent for an act that, if committed by an adult, would have constituted certain offenses; allows the TBI access to juvenile court records for the limited purpose of performing a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm or to determine eligibility for a handgun carry permit pursuant to existing law.”

Republican Rep Aims To Ban Firearm Purchases For Certain Tennessee “Delinquents” Under Age 25

Penalty for Indirect Abuse or Harm of a Child (HB1817)

Significantly increase the penalty from a Class D felony to a Class B felony for individuals who “negligently, by act or omission” cause harm or death to a child, even if they are not the ones directly inflicting the abuse. 

Governor Lee Signs Law Increasing Criminal Penalty For Indirect Abuse Or Harm Of A Child

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.