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HB1367 • 2026

Law Enforcement

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to law enforcement activity.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Chism, Akbari
Last action
2025-02-12
Official status
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific information on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance with this bill.

Law Enforcement Officer Communication During Stops

This bill requires Tennessee police officers to tell people why they are being stopped before asking questions about crimes or traffic violations, unless there is an immediate danger.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires law enforcement officers to explain the reason for a stop to someone who has been pulled over or approached on foot starting January 1, 2026.
  • Allows officers not to give this information if they think it could put lives or property at risk.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Law enforcement officers in Tennessee
  • People who are stopped by the police for traffic violations or pedestrian stops

Terms To Know

Tennessee Code Annotated
The official collection of laws passed by the state of Tennessee.
Imminent threat
A situation where danger is about to happen right away.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It does not specify what will happen if an officer fails to follow this rule.
  • The bill only affects stops starting from January 1, 2026.
  • There are no details on how the law will be enforced or punished.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee

  2. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/23/2026

  3. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  4. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  5. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  6. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  7. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  8. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  9. 2025-01-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 581
By Akbari

HOUSE BILL 1367
By Chism

HB1367
001328
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38;
Title 39 and Title 40, relative to law enforcement
activity.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 3, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following new section:
Beginning January 1, 2026, a law enforcement officer initiating a traffic stop or
pedestrian stop must inform the person stopped of the reason for the stop before
engaging the person in questioning related to an investigation of a possible criminal
offense or traffic violation. The officer may withhold the information required by this
section if the officer believes that doing so is necessary to protect life or property from an
imminent threat.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.