Senate Bill 7077 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to stalking offenses. The bill reclassifies violations of stalking, establishing that a violation based on stalking conduct is a Class E felony, while violations involving certain aggravating factors can escalate to a Class D felony. Additionally, the bill mandates that if a person is convicted of stalking or related offenses, the court must order a mental health assessment to determine the need for treatment, which may include monitoring for substance use. The costs of this assessment are to be borne by the offender unless they are deemed indigent.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new requirement that defendants charged with stalking or aggravated stalking undergo an evaluation as a condition of bail or pretrial release. This comprehensive approach aims to address the mental health needs of offenders while ensuring public safety. The changes outlined in the bill will take effect on October 1, 2023, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-13-113(g), 39-13-113, 39-17-315(b), 39-17-315, 39-17-315(c)(2), 39-17-315(g)