A Run Down of New State Laws
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A Run Down of New State Laws
By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]
Though HB 2202 that directly impacted Scott County will not be among them, beginning with July 2026, an assortment of new state laws will go into effect, ranging from those that affect schools and law enforcement, to health care providers, businesses and families across the state. Recent legislation addressed issues that have dominated debate in the General Assembly – and much of the country – over the past year, including immigration, school policies, crime, and child well-being.
The state’s new immigration measures are inevitably among the most controversial changes, though widely touted by the Trump Administration. One such law holds confidential the identities and personal information of federal, state, and local officers who have participated in immigration enforcement. This is particularly notable since county sheriffs must now enter into agreements with the federal government’s 287(g) program by January 2027, which allows local law enforcement to assist in federal immigration enforcement. Another immigration measure makes it a Class A misdemeanor for an individual who has been ordered by the federal government to leave the United States to remain in Tennessee for more than 90 days after a deportation order.
In public safety laws, businesses that hold alcohol permits will be required to keep drink-testing devices available in their establishments to help in the detection of drugs that are known to incapacitate victims. The intentional act of secretly drugging another person’s drink now carries a Class D felony, which could result in penalties of up to 12 years in prison. Making the bill a Class D felony saw some controversy, however, as some proponents believed the Class D classification was too lenient for a crime that may lead to greater offenses.
Additionally, penalties relating to threats that involve schools, child care centers, and religious institutions have also been strengthened. A new felony offense was also created for those implemented in coercing or encouraging another person to attempt or die by suicide, an issue that has repeatedly made global headlines in recent years.
Public schools will begin providing child trafficking awareness and prevention instruction, as the pandemic of trafficking continues in the United States. Schools will also be permitted to stock emergency epinephrine and to administer it when students are believed to be experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction.
In addressing a digital issue that has reared its head globally, Tennessee students – K through 5 – will not be permitted to use digital devices during the school day, or with heavy restrictions, and teachers will be limited in using electronic devices as the primary method of instruction for those grade levels. In new laws that impact post-secondary education, campuses will be required to adopt policies to strengthen the protection of free speech on Tennessee campuses.
Health care provisions include stronger protections for pregnant women seeking emergency medical treatment. Hospitals can not deny an appropriate medical screening exam to women in active labor or who is experiencing an emergency medical condition. As the controversy abounds around the subject, Tennessee has prohibited the advertising of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as licensed mental health professionals.
New laws will also increase penalties for repeat retail theft, which could impact Scott County businesses.
