House Bill 585, sponsored by Atchley, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 39-16-404, which pertains to misconduct involving public servants. The bill modifies the penalties for offenses under this section by deleting the existing subsection (b) and replacing it with new language that classifies such offenses as a Class B misdemeanor. Importantly, the bill mandates that all violations must include a minimum punishment of thirty (30) hours of community service, as determined by the court, in addition to any other penalties that may be authorized under Section 40-35-111.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of community service as a component of the punishment for misconduct involving public servants. This change aims to enhance accountability and promote civic responsibility among individuals in public service roles.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-16-404