Sentencing - As enacted, enacts the "James Bardsley, Jr. Life Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10. SB1602 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 1072 by the Secretary of State, the official text

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State y'JetUtMsee

                            PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 1072

                                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1602

       By Hatcher, Harshbarger, Bowling, Jackson, Rose, Seal, Gardenhire, Reeves, White

                                           Substituted for: House Bill No. 1967

By Stevens, Terry, McCalmon, Gillespie, Powell, Alexander, Sparks, Davis, Bricken, Helton-Haynes,
                                                         Powers, Haston

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10,
          relative to leaving the scene of an accident.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "James Bardsley, Jr. Life Protection
Act."

          SECTION 2. 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 must be punished by confinement for not
          less than one (1) year, of which the defendant is required to serve one hundred percent
          (100%), and a fine of no less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) and no more than ten
          thousand dollars ($10,000).

          SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and applies to
offenses committed on or after that date.
         SENATE BILL NO. 1602

PASSED:  April 22, 2026

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                                             SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

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                                         CAMERON SEXTON, SPEAKER
                                       HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Z2-: APPROVED thisvc,l                    2026

                       day of yV\a_A /\/
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                    BILL LEE, GOVERNOR