Sentencing

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information on how it will affect law enforcement agencies.

Increasing Penalties for Hit-and-Run Involving Death

This bill increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents where a person knows or should reasonably know that death resulted from the accident.

What This Bill Does

• Makes it a Class E felony to leave the scene of an accident when you know or reasonably think someone died because of your actions.
• Requires at least one year in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000 for those who violate this rule.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who drive cars or other vehicles

Terms To Know

Felony

A serious crime that can lead to a year or more in prison.

Hit-and-run

Leaving the scene of an accident without stopping to help or give information.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if someone is unsure whether death occurred.
• It's unclear how this will affect people who leave the scene out of fear or panic, even if they didn't know about a death.

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 1678
By Roberts

HOUSE BILL 1819
By Russell
HB1819
010777
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39;
Title 40 and Title 55, relative to hit and run.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-10-101(b)(2)(A), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(A) It is a Class E felony for any person to fail to stop or comply with the
requirements of subsection (a) when the person knew or should reasonably have known
that death resulted from the accident. In addition to any other punishment that may be
imposed for a violation of this subdivision (b)(2)(A), the defendant shall be punished by
confinement for not less than one (1) year and a minimum fine of ten thousand dollars
($10,000).
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to offenses committed on or after that date.