House Bill 1662 and Senate Bill 1749 propose amendments to various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning trespass laws. The bill redefines aggravated burglary to include instances where a person commits aggravated criminal trespass in a habitation and encounters the property owner displaying a firearm in self-defense. Additionally, the bill establishes that aggravated burglary and aggravated criminal trespass are both classified as Class C felonies. It also modifies the definition of criminal trespass, elevating it to a Class C felony, and clarifies the definition of "enter" in the context of aggravated criminal trespass.

Key changes include the deletion of existing legal language in sections 39-13-1003, 39-14-405, and 39-14-406, with new provisions inserted to enhance the legal framework surrounding trespass offenses. Specifically, the bill emphasizes the seriousness of trespass offenses by categorizing them as felonies and outlines specific actions that constitute aggravated criminal trespass, such as causing fear for safety or damaging property to gain entry. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to offenses occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-13-1003, 39-14-405, 39-14-406, 39-14-407(a), 39-14-407