House Bill 1678 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 39-16-201, to revise the classifications and penalties for violations related to contraband in penal institutions. The bill deletes the existing subsection (c) and introduces new provisions that categorize violations into different felony classes based on the nature of the offense and the consequences. For instance, violations that result in the death of another person are elevated to a Class B felony for certain offenses, while other violations are classified as Class C or D felonies depending on the circumstances.

The new legal language specifies that a first violation of certain contraband offenses may only incur a fine, while subsequent violations carry a fine of $3,000. Additionally, if a violation leads to the death of another person, it can be classified as a Class D felony. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the need for public welfare in its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-16-201