TN SB404: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to unlawful images.

In one paragraph

Tennessee's SB 404 (114th General Assembly) would have expanded the offense of unlawful exposure to cover distributing, with intent to cause emotional distress, an intimate or sexually explicit image of an identifiable person that was created or modified using software, an artificial intelligence application, or other digital editing tools. Companion to HB 433. Last action February 12, 2025; the bill died when the General Assembly adjourned in April 2026.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Not law. Had it passed, distributing AI-created or digitally altered intimate images of an identifiable person with intent to cause emotional distress could have been prosecuted as unlawful exposure.

Key provisions

1. 1Amends Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-318(a)(1), the unlawful exposure offense (distributing, with intent to cause emotional distress, an image of another identifiable person's intimate parts or of sexually explicit conduct)
2. 2Under the text, the offense would apply where the image was photographed or recorded under circumstances where the parties agreed or understood it would remain private, or the image of an identifiable person was created or modified by a computer software program, artificial intelligence application, or other digital editing tools
3. 3Text says it takes effect July 1, 2025
4. 4Last action: passed on second consideration and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, February 12, 2025; House companion HB 433 did not pass; the bill died when the session adjourned in April 2026

Latest legislative action

Feb 12, 2025. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

Sponsors