Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution 25 proposes a constitutional amendment that would remove the right to bail for specific serious offenses when evidence is strong. It targets charges including terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, and any other offense where a conviction would require serving at least 85% of the sentence before release. Judges would be required to document their bail decisions for these cases, and the amendment would take effect on November 3, 2026. The proposal must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to become part of Tennessee's constitution.
HB 762 establishes rules for using certified facility dogs to support witnesses, especially victims, during court testimony to reduce stress and improve testimony accuracy. The bill sets specific standards for dogs (including training, health checks, and $500,000 liability insurance) and handlers (requiring legal procedure training), and requires courts to approve their use via a motion before proceedings. During testimony, dogs must wear visible identification, handlers must stay visible to the witness (outside jury view), and courts must inform juries that the dog’s presence doesn’t affect the case. Courts must also take steps to minimize jury visibility of the dog during testimony.
SB 992 requires Tennessee's juvenile courts to adopt a new centralized computer system for tracking juvenile cases. All juvenile court clerks must switch to this statewide system, which meets criminal justice standards, following a schedule set with the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The system mandates monthly reporting of case data directly to the AOC, replacing older, fragmented record-keeping methods. This change applies to all juvenile courts across Tennessee and aims to improve data consistency and accessibility.
SB 456 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include robbery as a "crime of violence" within the state's criminal code. This change adds robbery to a list of offenses - including murder, rape, burglary, and aggravated assault - that are currently classified under this legal category. By doing so, the bill ensures robbery cases will be treated under the same sentencing and legal frameworks as other designated violent crimes. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2025, impacting how Tennessee courts and law enforcement handle robbery prosecutions.
SB 916 expands Tennessee's definition of "racketeering activity" to specifically include animal fighting, as defined under Tennessee Code § 39-14-203. This change directly affects individuals or groups involved in organizing, participating in, or facilitating animal fighting events, treating such activities as part of organized criminal enterprises. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-12-203(10) by adding a new subsection (RRR) to categorize animal fighting under racketeering offenses. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 1343 automates indigency determination for DUI offenders required to use ignition interlock devices. It directs the state treasurer to automatically deem individuals receiving SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits as indigent for device cost coverage, eliminating the need for courts to hold separate hearings to assess financial status. The bill revises Tennessee Code § 55-10-419 to streamline reimbursement from the electronic monitoring indigency fund, requiring providers to submit claims with court orders and proof of program eligibility. This directly affects low-income DUI offenders enrolled in federal/state assistance programs, ensuring they pay only $30 monthly toward device costs while the fund covers the remainder (up to $170). The policy change removes administrative hurdles for qualifying individuals while maintaining cost-sharing requirements.
SB 406 expands which Tennessee courts in Shelby County can handle petitions for orders of protection. It allows criminal courts to process these petitions when the same court is already hearing a related criminal case involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victims. This change eliminates the need for victims to seek protection orders in a separate court, streamlining the process while the criminal case is active. The bill directly affects survivors of these specific crimes in Shelby County who are navigating both criminal and protection proceedings. The law took effect on April 24, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
SB 601 updates Tennessee's pretrial release rules for defendants using global positioning monitoring systems. It defines "qualified contract service providers" (companies managing GPS monitoring), requiring them to have 24/7 monitoring centers, written court protocols, and notify emergency dispatchers if defendants violate bond conditions. The bill also creates a process where courts must hold hearings within 10 days if defendants fall behind on monitoring costs, with options to revoke bond, require payment, or seek alternative funding (excluding local sheriff's departments). This directly affects defendants on monitored pretrial release, victims receiving alerts, courts imposing conditions, and private GPS monitoring companies.
HB 769 makes it a crime to knowingly possess, distribute, or produce technology, software, or digital tools designed to create material featuring minors in sexual activity or extremely inappropriate simulated sexual activity. It directly affects individuals who use such tools, with penalties ranging from a Class E felony (possession) to a Class B felony (production). The law specifies that courts must consider factors like the defendant’s statements, existing material in their possession, advertising, and expert testimony to determine intent. This bill creates new criminal penalties for tools specifically intended to generate such material, not for general technology use.
SB 1055 expands Tennessee's expungement eligibility to include individuals who facilitated, attempted, or solicited crimes that were previously eligible for expungement. This change directly affects people with certain criminal records who could not previously clear related charges like planning or aiding a crime. The bill revises multiple Tennessee statutes (Titles 7, 16, 38, 40, 55, and 57) to add these scenarios to the list of eligible offenses for expungement. The law, effective April 24, 2025, simplifies the process by aligning statutory language to reflect this expanded eligibility.
