Senate Bill 1900, also known as House Bill 2428, amends Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance penalties for assaults against first responders and nurses. Specifically, the bill reclassifies the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer or first responder as a Class E felony, imposing a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a minimum incarceration period of 60 days, with no eligibility for release until the full sentence is served. Additionally, assaults against nurses are classified as Class A misdemeanors, carrying a mandatory fine of $5,000 and a minimum of 30 days in jail, also with no eligibility for early release.

The bill aims to provide greater protection for first responders and healthcare professionals by establishing stricter penalties for those who commit assaults against them. The new legal language replaces existing provisions in Section 39-13-116(c)(1) to reflect these changes, which will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-13-116(c)(1), 39-13-116