Tennessee Senate Bill SB1660

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/26
• Engrossed: 3/16/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 3, relative to arson.

Summary

SB1660 amends Tennessee’s arson statute to specifically include pregnancy resource centers alongside places of worship in the category of properties whose arson is punished as a Class B felony. The bill also adds a statutory definition of “pregnancy resource center,” describing it as a nonprofit that provides counseling, financial help, food, clothing, medical assistance, and related support services for women and families facing unexpected pregnancies. In practical terms, the bill expands the list of protected facilities under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 3, and makes intentional burning of either a place of worship or a qualifying pregnancy resource center subject to the same felony classification. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee’s criminal code by revising Section 39-14-301 to elevate arson of pregnancy resource centers to the same Class B felony level already applied to arson of places of worship. It also creates a new statutory definition for pregnancy resource center, which will guide prosecutors, courts, and law enforcement in determining whether a facility qualifies for the enhanced penalty. The change affects nonprofit pregnancy-support organizations and increases criminal exposure for offenders targeting those facilities.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests strong bipartisan or at least broad legislative support for the measure. The Senate Judiciary Committee recommended passage by a 9-0 vote, and the floor motion to adopt passed 32-0, indicating no recorded opposition in the votes provided. No committee transcript was available, so the record reflects support through unanimous or near-unanimous votes rather than detailed debate.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials, and the recorded votes show no opposition. The main policy issue implicit in the bill is the decision to extend heightened arson protections to pregnancy resource centers, which may be viewed as a public-safety and anti-targeted-violence measure by supporters. Because no discussion transcript is included, there is no direct evidence of objections, but the subject matter could potentially raise questions about how pregnancy resource centers are defined and which organizations qualify for the enhanced protection.