Sentencing

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on who else might be affected by the bill besides drivers, and it doesn't specify what happens if a person is unaware of the death.

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 their actions caused someone's death.

What This Bill Does

• Makes it a 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 break this law.

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 jail.

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 doesn't know that a death occurred.
• It is unclear how this law will be enforced in practice.

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 1819
By Russell

SENATE BILL 1678
By Roberts
SB1678
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.