House Bill 7020 amends Tennessee Code Annotated to introduce a new section addressing acts of mass violence. Under this legislation, a person who knowingly commits an act of mass violence against another individual will be committing an offense classified as a Class B felony. However, if the act of mass violence is directed at a healthcare provider performing abortions, it will be classified as a hate crime, resulting in a punishment that is one classification higher than the standard penalty for such offenses.

The bill defines "healthcare provider" as any licensed, registered, certified, or permitted healthcare professional or facility regulated by the Department of Health, and it defines "mass violence" as any criminal act that could reasonably lead to serious bodily injury or death of two or more individuals. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2023, emphasizing the urgency of addressing mass violence in the state.