House Bill 302 amends Tennessee Code Annotated to introduce new restrictions on the parking and stopping of vehicles on public highways and streets. Specifically, it designates existing language in Section 55-8-139(a) as subdivision (1) and adds a new subdivision (2), making it an offense for vehicle occupants to park, leave standing, or stop their vehicles in a manner that blocks or impedes traffic while soliciting or negotiating employment transactions with individuals near the roadway.

Additionally, the bill modifies Section 55-8-139(e) by deleting the existing subsection and replacing it with new provisions. Under the revised language, a violation of this section is classified as a Class C misdemeanor, with the stipulation that first-time offenders must receive a warning citation. Furthermore, if a violation of the new subdivision (a)(2) leads to a motor vehicle accident, the offense escalates to a Class B misdemeanor. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 55-8-139(a), 55-8-139, 55-8-139(e)