Bill > SB1022

This bill expands the legal definition of "law enforcement officer" in Tennessee to include additional categories of correctional and supervision professionals for the purposes of assault-related offenses. Specifically, the bill adds correctional officers employed by county jails, the state department of correction, and private prison contractors, as well as probation and parole officers working for the department of correction or private probation providers, to the existing list of law enforcement personnel. By broadening this definition, the bill provides enhanced legal protections for these types of officers, making assaults against them potentially subject to more serious criminal penalties. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and appears to be designed to ensure that a wider range of professionals involved in law enforcement, corrections, and offender supervision receive similar legal protections as traditional POST-certified law enforcement officers. This change reflects a recognition of the challenging and potentially dangerous nature of work in corrections and offender supervision.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1022&ga=114