HB 601 allows criminal defendants in Tennessee who pleaded guilty, "best interest," or no contest to later petition for a new trial based on new evidence that was unknown to them at the time of their plea, through no fault of their own. The law creates a specific court process: defendants file a verified petition with no fee, and if the court finds the claim has merit, a hearing is scheduled where the defendant must prove the new evidence establishes actual innocence. If proven, the court vacates the conviction and orders a new trial; if not, the petition is dismissed. This law applies to all convictions regardless of trial type (jury or plea) and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 973 extends time limits for legal action related to child sexual abuse in Tennessee. It increases the criminal prosecution window from 25 to 30 years after the victim turns 18, and the civil lawsuit window from 15 to 30 years after the victim turns 18. The law directly affects victims of child sexual abuse who wish to pursue legal action later in life. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2025.
HB 749 creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for operating a vehicle in Tennessee with an out-of-state driver license issued exclusively to individuals without lawful immigration status. The bill specifically targets licenses marked or designed to distinguish undocumented immigrants from other license holders, defining them as "invalid" in Tennessee. It requires the state to publish and maintain a list of such invalid license types by December 2025. This law directly affects non-residents holding these specific out-of-state licenses, making their use a punishable offense. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2026, with related administrative provisions effective immediately upon enactment.
HB 501 creates the Tennessee Juvenile Justice Review Commission to examine juvenile justice cases and critical incidents involving youth in state custody. The commission will review specific cases (like repeat offenses or those with systemic issues such as extended detention or out-of-state placements) and incidents (like escapes, self-harm, or staff abuse allegations) to identify patterns and make legislative recommendations. It must report its findings annually to the Tennessee General Assembly starting in 2028. The commission includes members from child services, education, mental health, courts, public defense, law enforcement, and child development fields. This bill directly affects how Tennessee reviews and improves its juvenile justice system, focusing on policy changes based on case data rather than individual outcomes.
HB 527 modifies Tennessee's parole laws by removing a restriction that previously prevented parole boards from denying parole solely based on an offense's seriousness for certain crimes. The bill amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35, Part 5 to allow parole boards to deny release for *any* offense if they determine it would "depreciate the seriousness of the crime" or "promote disrespect for the law." This change directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking parole, as it expands the criteria parole boards can use to deny release. The bill does not alter sentencing or create new penalties but shifts the parole decision-making standard.
HB 856 (Tennessee House Bill 856) would amend Tennessee law to lower the standard for using deadly force in property protection cases. It allows deadly force to prevent property crimes like trespass, theft, or burglary if a person reasonably believes other methods would fail or risk death/serious injury to themselves or others. The bill specifically defines "deadly force" to exclude merely displaying or brandishing a weapon, or using force that doesn’t cause death or serious injury. These changes directly affect property owners and law enforcement responding to property-related incidents under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-11-614 and 39-11-106.
HB 706 adds 10 new assistant district attorney general positions and 10 new criminal investigator positions across 10 specific Tennessee judicial districts that contain state correctional facilities. These roles are funded by the Department of Correction and focus exclusively on investigating and prosecuting crimes committed within state prisons, including violations of specific prison-related laws. The bill mandates that prison officials grant these prosecutors and investigators full access to prison records, evidence, and facilities upon request. The positions become effective July 1, 2025, and do not restrict existing staffing options for district attorneys.
HB 629 modifies Tennessee law regarding juvenile justice and school discipline. It allows juvenile courts to order GPS tracking devices for youth accused of delinquency or unruliness who are released before a hearing, requiring monitoring providers to alert probation officers if rules are violated. Additionally, it mandates that students expelled for threatening mass violence at school must complete counseling and a mental health evaluation before returning to school, with costs borne by parents or the student (if 18+), and evaluation results kept confidential. These changes apply to cases occurring on or after July 1, 2025.
HB 403 expands Tennessee's unlawful photography law to cover photos where the defendant knew the victim was engaged in sexual activity. It upgrades penalties for this offense to a felony (Class D) in specific cases, replacing previous misdemeanor or lower felony classifications. The bill also allows courts to issue protection orders for victims who have been subjected to, threatened with, or feared such non-consensual photography. This directly affects individuals who commit non-consensual photography and victims of such acts. The changes apply to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2025.
SB 335, the "Voyeurism Victims Act," amends Tennessee law to specifically address unauthorized photography (voyeurism) by defining "unlawful photography" and expanding legal protections for victims. It adds new provisions to criminalize hidden-camera photography, multiple-victim cases, and extends the statute of limitations for prosecution by tolling it during the defendant's concealment of the crime. The bill also integrates "unlawful photography" into existing domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking protections, allowing victims to seek relief through related legal pathways. This law directly affects individuals who experience unauthorized photography, providing clearer legal recourse and updated penalties. It takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on March 25, 2025.
