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SB0581 • 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
Akbari, Chism
Last action
2026-03-23
Official status
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific information on enforcement mechanisms or consequences for non-compliance, leaving these aspects unclear.

Traffic Stop Information for Law Enforcement

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

What This Bill Does

  • Requires law enforcement officers to explain the reason for a traffic stop or pedestrian stop to the person stopped before questioning them about possible criminal offenses or traffic violations starting January 1, 2026.
  • Allows officers not to give this information if they think it is necessary to protect someone's life or property from an immediate threat.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Law enforcement officers in Tennessee who make traffic and pedestrian stops.
  • People stopped by the police for traffic violations or suspected criminal activity.

Terms To Know

Tennessee Code Annotated
The official collection of laws passed by the state of Tennessee.
Imminent threat
A situation where there is a clear and immediate danger to someone's life or property.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It does not specify what happens if an officer fails to follow this rule.
  • The bill only applies to stops made on or after January 1, 2026.
  • There are no details about how the law will be enforced or monitored.

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

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  4. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  5. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  6. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  7. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  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 
HOUSE BILL 1367
By Chism

SENATE BILL 581
By Akbari

SB0581
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.