Bill > HB0099

This bill significantly expands Tennessee's law on unlawful photography by broadening the definition of the offense and increasing potential criminal penalties. The legislation creates more comprehensive protections against invasive photography by establishing three distinct scenarios that constitute unlawful photography: taking sexually motivated or offensive photographs of individuals without consent, taking and disseminating embarrassing intimate photographs with intent to harass, and focusing on intimate areas without consent for sexual gratification. The bill mandates that individuals convicted of certain unlawful photography offenses must register as sexual offenders, removing previous judicial discretion. The penalties range from Class E to Class C felonies, with more severe classifications applied when the victim is a minor under 13 or when the perpetrator is in a position of trust or authority over the victim. Importantly, the bill expands the definition of "reasonable expectation of privacy" to include situations where photographs are taken in an offensive manner that reveals body parts not typically visible to ordinary observation. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to acts committed on or after that date, providing clear guidelines for prosecuting invasive and non-consensual photography.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0099&ga=114