House Bill 45, sponsored by McCalmon, seeks to amend Tennessee law regarding child abuse by reclassifying the offense. Specifically, the bill proposes to change the classification of child abuse from a "Class A misdemeanor" to a "Class E felony" under Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-15-401(a). This change aims to impose stricter penalties for individuals convicted of child abuse, reflecting a stronger stance against such offenses.

The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date. This timeline allows for a transition period before the new classification and penalties are enforced, emphasizing the state's commitment to enhancing protections for children and addressing child abuse more seriously.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-15-401(a), 39-15-401