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HB1542 • 2026

Criminal Offenses

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to theft.

Crime
Active

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

Sponsor
Atchley, Seal
Last action
2026-04-09
Official status
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on enforcement costs or certainty of passage before July 1, 2026.

Law to Make Telecommunication Fraud a Serious Crime

This law makes using telecommunication devices like phones or computers for fraud and theft at least as serious as a Class E felony in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines telecommunication fraud as using a device with intent to deprive the owner of property by obtaining or exercising control over their property without effective consent.
  • Makes telecommunication fraud punishable under theft laws, but ensures it is at least classified as a Class E felony.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who commit telecommunication fraud
  • Law enforcement agencies that will enforce this law

Terms To Know

Telecommunication device
A tool like a phone or computer used to send and receive information over long distances.
Class E felony
The fifth most serious type of crime in Tennessee, with penalties including prison time.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify how much money will be spent on enforcing this law.
  • It is unclear if the bill will pass and become a law before July 1, 2026.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026

  2. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  3. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  4. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed behind the budget

  5. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026

  6. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/11/2026

  7. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  8. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  9. 2026-03-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  10. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/4/2026

  11. 2026-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Judiciary Committee to Next Available Calendar

  12. 2026-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 2/18/2026

  13. 2026-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  14. 2026-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  15. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/11/2026

  16. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  17. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  18. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  19. 2026-01-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  20. 2026-01-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  21. 2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  22. 2026-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1920
By Seal

HOUSE BILL 1542
By Atchley
HB1542
009351
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39,
relative to theft.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following new section:
(a) A person commits telecommunication fraud when the person, with intent to
deprive the owner of property, uses a telecommunication device to fraudulently obtain or
exercise control over the property of another without the owner's effective consent.
(b) Telecommunication fraud is punishable as theft pursuant to § 39-14-105, but
in no event shall telecommunication fraud be less than a Class E felony.
(c) As used in this section, "telecommunication device" means the same as
defined in § 39-16-201.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.