TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Jan 6, 2025

Tennessee lawmakers have filed a bill aimed at deterring hate crimes and strengthening public safety across the state. State House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, introduced HB55, known as the Protecting Everyone Against Crime and Extremism (PEACE) Act. The bill addresses issues such as hate littering, trespassing, police procedures, obstruction and road safety, according to WSMV News. It would add a Class A misdemeanor for hate littering and trespassing, and improve law enforcement’s response to hateful demonstrations by creating a buffer zone requiring the public to stay 25 feet from officers. “The PEACE Act offers increased protection against intimidation and gives law enforcement additional tools to ensure those individuals who carry out these vile acts — often anonymously — do not escape accountability. Tennessee will not tolerate hatred in any form,” Lamberth said.