Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 05 JUNE 2026

Tennessee Outlaws Spiking Drinks

Adams and Reese LLP
Explore more from Adams and Reese LLP

Tennessee has enacted a new law making it a Class D felony to spike someone's drink with date rape drugs, punishable by two to twelve years in prison and fines up to $5,000. While the original legislation included a mandate for bars and restaurants to provide free drink testing devices, the final version dropped this requirement, leaving only the criminal penalty for drink spiking.

United StatesCriminal Law
Will Cheek III
Will Cheek III

Tennessee outlawed placing roofies and other date rape drugs in drinks. The practice becomes a Class D felony starting July 1, 2026.

Many bar, restaurant, and other hospitality owners across Tennessee have been bracing for a new mandate to provide free roofie testing. Relax. The testing mandate didn’t make it into the final law.

The new law makes it a Class D felony to spike someone’s drink, food, or medication with intent to cause involuntary intoxication. The penalty? Two to twelve years in prison. Plus, fines up to $5,000. Here is a copy of PC 1131.

The original bill required all businesses with liquor licenses to provide free or low-cost drink testing strips or another testing device. Businesses were required to post signs about testing and keep test strips or other testing devices in stock and up-to-date.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

SEC Charges WhatsApp-Driven Crypto Fraud Schemes Totaling Over $15 Million

The SEC has charged two offshore entities with orchestrating sophisticated investment confidence scams that defrauded over 2,000 retail investors of at least $15.3 million through fake AI-powered crypto trading platforms. Using WhatsApp group chats, impersonated investment professionals, and fabricated regulatory filings, the defendants created elaborate schemes that promised guaranteed returns while stealing investor funds through shell companies and blocking withdrawal attempts with demands for additional
United StatesCriminal Law
Ballard Spahr LLP
Ballard Spahr LLP
Article

DOJ Announces 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown: 455 Defendants Charged In $6.5 Billion Enforcement Action

The Department of Justice's 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown charged 455 defendants in connection with $6.5 billion in alleged fraud schemes, marking an unprecedented scale of enforcement action. This whole-of-government approach leverages advanced data analytics and international cooperation to combat healthcare fraud across Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs. The enforcement action demonstrates heightened scrutiny of providers, aggressive asset forfeiture, and a focus on cases involvin
United StatesCriminal Law
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Article

Prediction Markets — Legitimate Trading Or Gambling?

The rapid expansion of online prediction markets has created a regulatory gray area where consumers can effectively wager on sporting events even in states that prohibit traditional sports betting. As platforms like Kalshi, Polymarket, and Robinhood argue their services constitute futures trading rather than gambling, state attorneys general and the CFTC are locked in legal battles over jurisdiction and consumer protection.
United StatesCriminal Law
Klemchuk
Klemchuk
Article

Outsized Verdicts Persist In Florida Despite Tort Reform: What Businesses And Insurers Need To Know

Florida juries continue to deliver multimillion-dollar verdicts in personal injury cases despite 2023 tort reform efforts, with non-economic damages now routinely exceeding medical expenses by factors of 20 to 180 times. Corporate defendants in transportation, hospitality, and insurance sectors face unprecedented exposure as plaintiffs' attorneys successfully leverage anchoring arguments and juror sympathy to secure outsized awards. How should businesses and insurers recalibrate their risk management strate
United StatesLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Adams and Reese LLP
Adams and Reese LLP
Article

The Secured Creditor’s Playbook For Section 363 Sales

Section 363 sales have become a routine feature of commercial bankruptcy cases, often determining recovery for secured creditors before a reorganization plan is even filed. Understanding the mechanics of credit bidding, adequate protection rights, and bid procedure negotiations can mean the difference between maximizing recovery and watching collateral sold under unfavorable terms.
United StatesInsolvency/Bankruptcy/Re-Structuring
Adams and Reese LLP
Adams and Reese LLP
Article

FinCEN Finalizes Exemption Of U.S. Companies From Beneficial Ownership Reporting

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has issued a final rule exempting domestic companies and U.S. persons from the Corporate Transparency Act's beneficial ownership information reporting requirements, marking a significant shift after years of litigation and regulatory uncertainty. While U.S. businesses can now set aside their compliance efforts, foreign companies registered in the United States must continue reporting non-U.S. person beneficial owners, and future admi
United StatesCorporate/Commercial Law
Adams and Reese LLP
Adams and Reese LLP
Article

Analyzing The FY 2027 Lottery Data And The Impact Of The $100,000 Fee

The FY 2027 H-1B cap lottery data reveals a dramatic transformation in employment-based immigration, driven by USCIS's new wage-based weighted selection process and a $100,000 fee for offshore hires. These policy changes have fundamentally altered employer filing strategies, shifting focus from high-volume foreign recruitment to U.S.-educated talent while prioritizing mid-to-senior level professionals over entry-level candidates.
United StatesImmigration
Adams and Reese LLP
Adams and Reese LLP