Senate Bill 678 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 39-13-504(b), regarding the classification of aggravated sexual battery. The bill establishes that aggravated sexual battery is generally classified as a Class B felony, but it elevates the classification to a Class A felony if the victim is under eighteen years of age or is deemed mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. This change aims to enhance the legal consequences for offenders in cases involving vulnerable victims.

The new legal language replaces the existing subsection in the law, thereby clarifying the distinctions in felony classifications based on the victim's age and mental or physical condition. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of public welfare in its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-13-504(b), 39-13-504