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TennesseeHB 0045114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to child abuse.

Sponsored By: Jake McCalmon (Republican)

Became Law

Criminal Offenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Child abuse now a felony charge

Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee changes the listed child abuse offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. The change applies only to crimes committed on or after July 1, 2025. People who commit this offense face felony prosecution, tougher penalties, and long-term legal consequences.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jake McCalmon

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Rebecca K Alexander

    Republican • House

  • Jody Barrett

    Republican • House

  • Rick Eldridge

    Republican • House

  • G.A. Hardaway

    Democrat • House

  • Mary Littleton

    Republican • House

  • Bill Powers

    Republican • Senate

  • Chris Todd

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 193 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 4/21/2025

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2025

FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/14/2025

Yes: 94 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 28 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2025

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2025

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 472

    5/27/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2025

    5/27/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/21/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/9/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/8/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/24/2025House

  8. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/21/2025Senate

  9. Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0

    4/21/2025Senate

  10. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/14/2025House

  12. Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 1

    4/14/2025House

  13. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/14/2025House

  14. H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/14/2025

    4/10/2025House

  15. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/10/2025

    4/9/2025House

  16. Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/8/2025House

  17. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    4/2/2025House

  18. Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/8/2025

    4/2/2025House

  19. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/1/2025House

  20. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/2/2025

    3/26/2025House

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

    3/6/2025House

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

    3/5/2025House

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

    2/26/2025House

  24. Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/5/2025

    2/26/2025House

  25. Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/26/2025

    2/19/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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