House Bill 553 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 39-13-116, to redefine the term "law enforcement officer." The bill deletes the previous language in subdivision (d)(2) and replaces it with a more comprehensive definition that includes various types of law enforcement personnel. This new definition encompasses POST-certified law enforcement officers, capitol police officers, Tennessee highway patrol officers, agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, officers from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, deputy jailers, correctional officers from county jails or private prison contractors, probation or parole officers from the Department of Correction or private probation providers, and park rangers from the Division of Parks and Recreation.

The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of updating the legal framework to ensure clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement personnel in Tennessee.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-13-116