House Bill 7018 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-315, to introduce a new provision that classifies stalking, aggravated stalking, or especially aggravated stalking as a hate crime if the offense is committed against a victim due to their status as a healthcare provider who offers gender-affirming care. This new subsection stipulates that such offenses will be punished one classification higher than the standard penalties outlined in the law.

The bill defines "gender-affirming care" as medical treatment aimed at supporting and affirming a patient's gender identity, and it specifies that a "healthcare provider" includes any licensed, registered, certified, or permitted professional under the relevant titles regulated by the department of health. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2023, emphasizing the importance of protecting healthcare providers who deliver gender-affirming services from targeted stalking offenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-17-315