Tennessee - Session 114
Title: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 40, relative to contraband in penal institutions.
Present law prohibits a person from knowingly taking, sending, or otherwise causing to be taken, (i) any weapon, ammunition, or explosive; (ii) any intoxicant, legend drug, controlled substance, or controlled substance analogue; or (iii) any telecommunic ation device into a penal institution where prisoners are held. Possession of these items with unlawful intent and without the express written consent of the chief administrator of such penal institution is also prohibited. This bill generally makes it a Class C felony to knowingly take or send any weapon, ammunition, or explosive into such a penal institution or to possess with unlawful intent a weapon, ammunition, or explosive in such a penal institution. A Class C felon y is punishable by imprisonment of three to 15 years and a fine up to $10,000. However, if such an action results in the death of another person, this bill makes it a Class B felony, which is punishable by imprisonment of eight to 30 years and a fine up to $25,000. This bill generally makes it a Class D felony to knowingly take or send any intoxicant, legend drug, controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, or telecommunications device into a penal institution where prisoners are held. Possession with unl awful intent of any intoxicant, legend drug, controlled substance, or controlled substance analogue without permission is also generally a Class D felony. A Class D felony is punishable by imprisonment of two to 12 years and a fine up to $5,000. However , if such actions result in the death of another person, it is a Class C felony. This bill generally makes it a Class E felony to possess a telecommunication device with unlawful intent and without permission in a penal institution where prisoners are kept. The first violation is punishable only by fine. A second or subsequent viol ation is punishable by a fine of $3,000.
Tracking state legislation? Support LegiList with a small contribution. Independent, ad-free, and built by one developer.
| Date | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-14 | Introduced | Bill introduced |
| 2026-03-18 | Status | in_committee |
| 2026-03-18 | Latest Action | Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026 |
| Bill | Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HB 1454 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 40, relative to sentencing for criminal offenses. | in_committee |
| HB 1741 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 41; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to the use of drugs for the treatment of pain. | enrolled |
| HB 1989 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2; Title 6; Title 8; Title 36; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 55; Title 58; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 66, relative to armed forces. | in_committee |
| HB 2017 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1314; Section 70-1-206 and Section 70-4-107, relative to the authority of the Tennessee fish and wildlife commission to proscribe the manner and means of taking wildlife. | in_committee |
| HB 2246 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63 and Title 68, relative to stem cell therapies. | in_committee |
| HB 2267 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-8-185, relative to utility terrain vehicles. | enrolled |
| HB 2309 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29 and Title 39, relative to criminal conduct. | in_committee |
| HB 2355 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 68, Chapter 221, relative to unlawful disposal of waste. | in_committee |