Bill > HB2618

This bill, by amending Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13, significantly increases the penalties for assaulting a law enforcement officer or first responder, classifying such an offense as a Class E felony, which is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor. This change mandates a minimum fine of $10,000 and requires a minimum of 60 days in jail, with no possibility of early release until the full sentence is served. For context, a Class E felony in Tennessee carries a potential prison sentence of one to six years, and a fine of up to $3,000, but this bill imposes stricter mandatory penalties specifically for assaults against these public safety professionals. The bill also addresses assaults against nurses, making them a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $5,000 and a 30-day minimum jail sentence.