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SB 1830

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, enacts "The Intercollegiate Student-Athlete Protection Act," which creates a criminal offense of student athlete harassment; punishes the first offense as a Class A misdemeanor and a second or subsequent offense as a Class E felony; and specifies that a student athlete who is the victim of student athlete harassment has a private right of action against a person convicted of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 49; Title 39 and Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Jeff Yarbro

Tennessee bill criminalizes student-athlete harassment (Class A misdemeanor first offense, Class E felony thereafter) and grants victims civil lawsuit rights against convicted offenders.

Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 1830

Legislative bill overview

SB 1830 creates a new criminal offense called "student athlete harassment" in Tennessee, making a first offense a Class A misdemeanor and subsequent offenses a Class E felony. The bill also grants student athletes a private right of action to sue anyone convicted under this statute, allowing them to seek civil damages.

Why is this important

College and high school athletes have reported experiences of harassment, hazing, and abuse within athletic programs, but existing laws may not adequately address conduct specifically targeting student athletes. This legislation attempts to create a targeted legal remedy and deterrent through both criminal penalties and civil liability, potentially affecting how athletic departments, coaches, and teammates interact with athletes.

Potential points of contention

  • Vague definition: The bill text references "student athlete harassment" but the actual definition of what constitutes this offense is not provided in the summary, raising concerns about clarity and potential overreach or underreach in enforcement.
  • Private right of action scope: Allowing victims to sue convicted individuals creates financial liability that may be difficult to collect and could incentivize frivolous lawsuits; it's unclear if this applies to minors suing other minors or adults.
  • Criminalization threshold: Questions exist about whether harassment should be criminalized at the misdemeanor level versus handled through institutional discipline, Title IX processes, or civil remedies already available under tort law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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