Tennessee House passes 'Back The Blue Act,' toughening penalties for assaulting an officer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Tennessee bill that would enact harsher punishments for assaulting a law enforcement officer passed the Tennessee House on Monday.

State Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown, introduced House Bill 1881, also known as the 'Back The Blue Act.'

The legislation would enhance the penalty for assault against a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony punishable by a mandatory minimum 60-day sentence and a $10,000 fine.

An assault on law enforcement is an attack on the entire community that he or she serves,” said Rep. Capley. "Police go to work each day with the goal of improving public safety and it’s important we support the difficult job they do."

In Tennessee, assaulting a first responder, including nurses, firefighters and emergency services personnel, is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Assault includes knowingly causing bodily injury or knowingly causing offensive physical contact, including spitting, throwing or transferring bodily fluids, human pathogens or waste onto a first responder.

There were 1,603 simple assaults on law enforcement officers last year in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

If approved by the Senate and signed by Gov. Bill Lee, House Bill 1881 will take effect July 1.

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