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 1299, now law in Tennessee, modifies ignition interlock device requirements for drivers convicted of DUI offenses. It allows individuals to schedule calibration, monitoring, or inspection appointments within a two-week window before or after their original date (instead of strict on-time appointments), and permits courts to reinstate driver’s licenses if the sole noncompliance was missing a calibration appointment and no other license suspensions exist. The bill also adds provisions for military service members deployed outside Tennessee for over 30 days, enabling temporary tolling of ignition interlock usage periods with proof of deployment. These changes take effect April 11, 2025, and apply directly to drivers required to use ignition interlock devices.
HB 1315 modifies Tennessee's ignition interlock device laws to provide flexibility for drivers. It allows people with ignition interlock requirements to attend device calibration, monitoring, or inspection at any time within a 14-day window (7 days before or after their scheduled appointment) without penalty. The bill also creates a new provision for active-duty military members deployed outside Tennessee for over 30 days, enabling them to temporarily pause their ignition interlock period by submitting military orders. Courts can reinstate driver licenses if the only noncompliance was with device appointments and the driver has no other license restrictions. These changes apply to all drivers required to use ignition interlock devices under Tennessee law.
HB 1038 requires all Tennessee juvenile court clerks to adopt a single, secure statewide system for managing juvenile case records. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) must maintain this system and set adoption timelines for courts. Juvenile courts must report case data monthly through this system, replacing older record-keeping methods. This affects every juvenile court clerk and the state’s court administration across all counties.
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.
HB 854 allows Tennessee magistrates to consider reliable hearsay evidence, such as computer printouts of state and federal criminal records from the TBI and FBI, when deciding whether to release a defendant on bail and setting the bail amount. Defendants must be given a fair opportunity to challenge any such evidence used against them. This law directly affects individuals facing pretrial release decisions in Tennessee courts, changing how magistrates assess risk and public safety concerns during bail hearings. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-11-115(b) and 40-11-118(b) to implement these changes.
