Tennessee § 39-13-523 - Punishment for certain sex offenders.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-523 — Punishment for certain sex offenders., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 39-13-523. Punishment for certain sex offenders.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: “Aggravated rapist” means a person convicted of violating § 39-13-502; “Child rapist” means a person convicted one (1) or more times of rape of a child as defined by § 39-13-522; “Child sexual predator” means a person who: Is convicted in this state of committing an offense on or after July 1, 2007, that is classified in subdivision (a)(5) as a predatory offense; and Has one (1) or more prior convictions for an offense classified in subdivision (a)(5) as a predatory offense; “Multiple rapist” means a person convicted two (2) or more times of violating § 39-13-503, or a person convicted at least one (1) time of violating § 39-13-502 and at least one (1) time of violating § 39-13-503; “Predatory offenses” means: Aggravated sexual battery under § 39-13-504(a)(4); Statutory rape by an authority figure under § 39-13-532; Sexual battery by an authority figure under § 39-13-527; Solicitation of a minor to commit a sex offense under § 39-13-528; Solicitation of a minor to perform sex acts under § 39-13-529; and Aggravated statutory rape under § 39-13-506(c); “Prior convictions” means that the person serves and is released or discharged from a separate period of incarceration or supervision for the commission of a predatory offense classified in subdivision (a)(5) prior to committing another predatory offense classified in subdivision (a)(5). “Prior convictions” includes convictions under the laws of any other state, government or country that, if committed in this state, would constitute a predatory offense as classified in subdivision (a)(5). If a felony from a jurisdiction other than Tennessee is not a named predatory offense as classified in subdivision (a)(5) in this state, it shall be considered a prior conviction if the elements of the felony are the same as the elements for an offense classified as a predatory offense; and “Separate period of incarceration or supervision” includes a sentence to any of the sentencing alternatives set out in § 40-35-104 (c)(3)-(9). Any offense designated as a predatory offense pursuant to subdivision (a)(5) shall be considered as having been committed after a separate period of incarceration or supervision if the predatory offense was committed while the person was: On probation, parole or community correction supervision for a predatory offense; Incarcerated for a predatory offense; Assigned to a program whereby the person enjoys the privilege of supervised release into the community, including, but not limited to, work release, educational release, restitution release or medical furlough for a predatory offense; or On escape status from any correctional institution when incarcerated for a predatory offense; Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a child sexual predator, aggravated rapist, multiple rapist or a child rapist shall be required to serve the entire sentence imposed by the court undiminished by any sentence reduction credits the person may be eligible for or earn. A child sexual predator, aggravated rapist, multiple rapist or a child rapist shall be permitted to earn any credits for which the person is eligible and the credits may be used for the purpose of increased privileges, reduced security classification, or for any purpose other than the reduction of the sentence imposed by the court. Title 40, chapter 35, part 5, regarding release eligibility status and parole, shall not apply to or authorize the release of a child sexual predator, aggravated rapist, multiple rapist or child rapist prior to service of the entire sentence imposed by the court. Nothing in title 41, chapter 1, part 5 shall give either the governor or the board of parole the authority to release or cause the release of a child sexual predator, aggravated rapist, multiple rapist or child rapist prior to service of the entire sentence imposed by the court. The provisions of this section requiring child sexual predators to serve the entire sentence imposed by the court shall only apply if at least one (1) of the required offenses occurs on or after July 1, 2007. The provisions of this section requiring multiple rapists to serve the entire sentence imposed by the court shall only apply if at least one (1) of the required offenses occurs on or after July 1, 1992. The provisions of this section requiring aggravated rapists to serve the entire sentence imposed by the court shall only apply if the required offense occurs on or after July 1, 2012. Acts 1992, ch. 878, § 1; 1998, ch. 1049, § 10; 2007, ch. 525, § 1; 2012, ch. 1073, §§ 2-5. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2012, ch. 1073, § 1 provided that the act, which amended this section, shall be known and may be cited as “Kimberlee's Law.” Acts 2012, ch. 727, § 1 amended § 4-3-104 , which concerns name changes of departments and divisions, to provide that references to the board of probation and parole, formerly referred to in subsection (d), are deemed references to the board of parole. Attorney General Opinions. Applicability, OAG 94-023 (3/9/94). Applicability of (b) to offenses prior to July 1, 1992, OAG 94-023 (3/9/94). Retroactive custodial parole hearing authorized for first of consecutive sentences, OAG 98-089 (4/15/98). Effect of trial court judgment contrary to release eligibility statutes, OAG 98-0126 (7/20/98). Department of correction authority to alter illegal court judgment, OAG 98-0126 (7/20/98). Modification of judgment orders by the Tennessee department of correction, OAG 99-197 (9/28/99).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 39-13-523
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-523 cover?
Section 39-13-523 ("Punishment for certain sex offenders.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 39-13-523?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-523" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 39-13-523 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.