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HB1232 • 2026

Criminal Offenses

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 53, relative to criminal justice.

Crime
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Lamberth, Johnson
Last action
2025-05-15
Official status
Comp. became Pub. Ch. 462
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included details that were either not supported by the official source material or were too speculative. The bill summary and text did not provide information on drug recovery courts, specific court procedures for hearings after convictions, or the effectiveness of protection orders before conviction.

Changes to Criminal Justice Laws

This bill modifies Tennessee's criminal justice laws by adding stricter penalties for fentanyl-related substance offenses and expanding protections for domestic violence victims.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires a person convicted of knowingly possessing or exchanging any amount of fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or their derivatives to be punished with at least a 30-day jail sentence before being eligible for drug recovery programs.
  • Allows police officers to keep someone arrested for possessing or exchanging fentanyl-related substances in custody instead of issuing them a citation.
  • Enables domestic abuse victims to file a petition for a lifetime order of protection even if their abuser hasn't been convicted yet, with hearings held after conviction.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who possess or exchange fentanyl-related substances
  • Police officers dealing with misdemeanor arrests involving controlled substances
  • Domestic abuse victims and their abusers

Terms To Know

Fentanyl-related substances
Includes fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, and any derivatives or analogues of these drugs.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the exact penalties for other types of controlled substance offenses.
  • It is unclear how these changes will affect existing court procedures and resources.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Amendment 1-0 to HB1232

Plain English: The amendment adds new provisions for punishing violations involving certain opioids and allows for alternative sentencing options.

  • Adds a mandatory minimum sentence of thirty days for violations related to fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, or thiafentanil, with the option for full credit if participating in drug recovery programs.
  • Exempts certain opioid-related offenses from specific sentencing rules and allows victims to file petitions before a conviction for certain criminal trials.
  • The amendment text is complex and includes multiple sections that are difficult to summarize succinctly without omitting important details.
Amendment 2-0 to HB1232

Plain English: The amendment changes penalties for certain fentanyl-related offenses and allows victims to file petitions before conviction in specific criminal cases.

  • Increases the minimum sentence for certain fentanyl-related drug violations from an unspecified amount to at least thirty days, with no possibility of early release.
  • Exempts certain fentanyl-related drug violations from a provision that would otherwise apply.
  • Allows victims to file petitions before conviction in cases involving specific offenses listed under criminal jurisdiction.
  • Adds exceptions for administering naloxone or other opioid antagonists during a drug overdose.
  • The exact penalties and provisions affected by the amendment are complex and may require further legal interpretation.
Amendment 1-0 to SB1233

Plain English: The amendment adds new penalties and provisions for certain opioid substances like fentanyl and allows for alternative sentencing options.

  • Adds a mandatory minimum sentence of thirty days for violations involving specific opioids such as fentanyl, with the requirement to serve at least one hundred percent of this time.
  • Allows individuals serving these sentences to participate in drug or recovery courts and receive full credit towards their thirty-day minimum sentence if they do so.
  • Requires courts to strongly consider ordering service of the sentence through participation in a drug court or treatment program for those who need it, unless unsuitable.
  • The amendment text does not provide details on how clinical assessments are conducted or what criteria determine if someone is suitable for drug or recovery courts.
  • It's unclear from the provided text how this amendment will interact with existing sentencing laws and practices in Tennessee.
Amendment 2-0 to SB1233

Plain English: The amendment changes penalties for assaulting a law enforcement officer or first responder to include a mandatory fine and minimum jail time.

  • Changes assault against a law enforcement officer or first responder from its current classification to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a minimum sentence of sixty days in jail.
  • Removes the phrase 'first responder or' from Section 39-13-116(c)(1)(B) of Tennessee Code Annotated.
  • The exact impact on current laws regarding assault against first responders is unclear due to incomplete information in the amendment text.
Amendment 3-0 to SB1233

Plain English: The amendment increases penalties for certain fentanyl-related offenses and clarifies exceptions for drug court participation and victim petitions.

  • Increases the minimum sentence to thirty days with no parole for violations involving specific types of fentanyl derivatives, requiring full service of this time before eligibility for drug or recovery programs.
  • Excludes certain fentanyl-related offenses from a provision that would otherwise apply under § 40-7-118(b)(2).
  • Adds new provisions to allow victims to file petitions with criminal courts prior to conviction and sets conditions for when these hearings can occur.
  • Clarifies that administering naloxone or other opioid antagonists during an overdose does not violate laws related to disturbing a death scene.
  • The amendment text is detailed, but it focuses on specific legal changes rather than broader policy impacts, which may require additional context for full understanding.

Bill History

  1. 2025-05-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    Comp. became Pub. Ch. 462

  2. 2025-05-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    Effective date(s) 07/01/2025

  3. 2025-05-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    Pub. Ch. 462

  4. 2025-05-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Governor.

  5. 2025-05-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Transmitted to Governor for action.

  6. 2025-04-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by H. Speaker

  7. 2025-04-29 Tennessee General Assembly

    Signed by Senate Speaker

  8. 2025-04-28 Tennessee General Assembly

    Enrolled and ready for signatures

  9. 2025-04-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  10. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  11. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Comp. SB subst.

  12. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed H., Ayes 85, Nays 10, PNV 0

  13. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0339)

  14. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0338)

  15. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Subst. for comp. HB.

  16. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  17. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0

  18. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0347)

  19. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0346)

  20. 2025-04-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 3 - SA0446)

  21. 2025-04-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/22/2025

  22. 2025-04-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 11, Nays 0 PNV 0

  23. 2025-04-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2025

  24. 2025-04-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025

  25. 2025-04-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

  26. 2025-04-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  27. 2025-04-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2025

  28. 2025-04-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025

  29. 2025-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025

  30. 2025-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed behind the budget

  31. 2025-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2025

  32. 2025-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/15/2025

  33. 2025-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025

  34. 2025-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

  35. 2025-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  36. 2025-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/9/2025

  37. 2025-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

  38. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee

  39. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/2/2025

  40. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/2/2025

  41. 2025-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025

  42. 2025-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025

  43. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/2/2025

  44. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 4/2/2025

  45. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025

  46. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/26/2025

  47. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/26/2025

  48. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/19/2025

  49. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/19/2025

  50. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/12/2025

  51. 2025-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  52. 2025-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to Judiciary Committee

  53. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  54. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  55. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  56. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  57. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  58. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

ON APRIL 22, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPT
ED AMENDMENT #3 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1233, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #3 rewrites this bill to make the following changes and additions to present law concerning criminal justice:

(1) Requires that a person convicted of
knowingly possess
ing
or casually e
xchang
ing
a controlled substance

with respect to any amount of fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, or thiafentanil, or any fentanyl derivative or analogue
must
be punished by confinement for not less 30 days, and the person shall serve at leas
t 100% of the
30
-day minimum
before participating in
a drug or recovery court
;

(2) Present law generally requires that a
peace officer who
arrests
a person for a misdemeanor issue a citation to the arrested person to appear in court in lieu of the contin
ued custody and the taking of the arrested person before a magistrate.
This amendment provides that such requirement does not apply to a person arrested for
knowingly possess
ing
or casually exchang
ing
a controlled substance

with respect to any amount of f
entanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, or thiafentanil
;

(3) Authorizes a domestic abuse victim to
file a petition
for a lifetime order of protection
, prior to the respondent's conviction
for a qualifying offense
, with the court with criminal jur
isdiction over the respondent's trial for the offense on which the petition is based. The court shall cause a copy of the petition to be served upon the respondent, with notice that a hearing on the petition will be held immediately following the entry o
f
judgment, if the respondent is convicted of the offense on which the petition is based; provided, however, that a hearing must not occur for at least five days from the date of service.

If the respondent is not convicted of the offense on which the petit
ion is based, then the court
is required to
dismiss the petition. If the respondent is convicted of the offense on which the petition is based, then the court
is required to
hold a hearing
on the petition
immediately following the entry of judgment
; and

(4) Present law prohibits removing or disturbing the body or articles at the scene where it appears died by means of violence. This amendment makes such prohibition applicable to scenes where a person appears to have died as the result of a drug overdos
e
; provided, that it is not a violation for a person to administer an
opioid antagonist to an individual experiencing a drug-related overdose.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1233
By Johnson

HOUSE BILL 1232
By Lamberth

HB1232
003285
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10,
Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title
39; Title 40 and Title 53, relative to criminal justice.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-16-202(a)(1), is amended by
deleting "report the offense to" and substituting "report the offense in writing to".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.