Tennessee House Bill HB1679

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/26
• Refer: 1/21/26
• Refer: 3/11/26
• Refer: 3/23/26
• Chaptered: 5/4/26
• Passed: 5/4/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 15, relative to underage persons.

Summary

HB1679 amends Tennessee’s tobacco and vapor product enforcement provisions for underage persons. The bill revises the penalties and court responses available when a person violates Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1505, which governs underage possession, use, or related offenses involving tobacco and vapor products. Under the bill, general sessions or juvenile court may order community service of up to 50 hours, require completion of a prescribed court program, or impose a civil penalty of $10 to $50. For minors, the court may also place the child on an informal adjustment for 90 days, and for a second or subsequent violation, place the minor on probation for up to six months along with community service and a court program focused on the dangers of tobacco and vapor products. The bill also specifies who may be financially responsible for the civil penalty. If the violator is at least 18 but under 21, the penalty may be assessed directly against that person; if the violator is a minor, the penalty may be assessed against a parent, guardian, or custodian. The probation ordered for repeat minor violations may not be supervised by the Department of Children’s Services, indicating a court-managed approach rather than child-welfare supervision. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Impact

This bill changes Tennessee law in Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 15 by updating the range of sanctions courts may use for underage tobacco and vapor product violations. It expands and clarifies juvenile and general sessions court authority, adds a structured civil penalty framework, and creates repeat-offense consequences for minors. The bill affects minors, young adults ages 18 to 20, and parents or guardians who may be liable for penalties imposed on minors.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It received a 7-2 favorable recommendation in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and then passed the House Judiciary Committee unanimously, 19-0, indicating that most legislators viewed the measure as a reasonable enforcement and deterrence tool. No committee transcript was provided, so the record reflects support primarily through the strong committee votes rather than recorded debate.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the use of penalties against parents, guardians, or custodians for minors’ violations, and the use of probation and court programs for repeat offenses. The bill also distinguishes between minors and 18- to 20-year-olds, which may raise questions about fairness, enforcement, and whether the sanctions are primarily punitive or rehabilitative. Even so, the committee votes suggest these issues did not generate significant opposition in the recorded legislative process.