Bill > SB2127

This bill creates a new criminal offense in Tennessee law that punishes individuals who intentionally communicate a threat of harm to a public official or a member of that official's immediate family, which includes a spouse, parent, sibling, or child, and their step or adoptive relations. To be convicted, the person making the threat must know the recipient is a public official or their family member, intend the communication to be a threat of harm due to the official's job, and a reasonable person would perceive it as a threat. A violation of this new law is classified as a Class E felony, which is a serious crime, and the bill specifies that the term "communicate" and "public official" will be defined by referencing existing sections of Tennessee law. This legislation aims to enhance protections for public servants and their families by establishing clear penalties for threats made against them because of their official duties, and it is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB2127&ga=114