House Bill 1444, sponsored by Gillespie, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to animal cruelty. Notably, it changes the classification of aggravated cruelty to animals from a Class E felony to a Class D felony, thereby increasing the severity of the penalty for such offenses. Additionally, the bill introduces a new subdivision under Section 37-1-131(g)(2) that specifically defines aggravated cruelty to animals, aligning it with the existing definition in Section 39-14-212.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the references in Section 37-1-131(g)(1) to include the new subdivision (Q) and allows for penalties of either Class B felony or Class D felony under Section 37-1-131(g)(4)(B). The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to acts committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-14-212(d), 39-14-212, 37-1-131(g)(2), 37-1-131, 37-1-131(g)(1), 37-1-131(g)(4)(B)