HB 1268 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to submit its annual report on narcotics investigations to specific legislative committees by February 15 each year, instead of the previous unspecified annual deadline. The bill amends Tennessee law (specifically Titles 8, 10, 16, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 55) to update the submission date and clarify which committees receive the report (the House committee with jurisdiction over criminal justice and the Senate Judiciary Committee). This change directly affects the TBI's narcotics division and the legislative committees responsible for oversight. The bill modifies reporting procedures without altering the content or scope of the investigations themselves.
HB 1450 restricts who can post bail for defendants in Tennessee. It prohibits most organizations (not including the defendant, their family, legal guardian, employer, or licensed bail bondsmen) from posting bail security for more than three defendants in a single year or for the same defendant more than once per year. Entities seeking to post bail must first obtain approval under new requirements. The bill amends Tennessee law to clarify definitions (like "family" including third-degree relatives and household members) and limits non-licensed entities from operating bail services. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2138 requires that individuals convicted of vehicular homicide caused by intoxication **and** leaving the scene of the accident (a hit-and-run) be sentenced as a minimum "Range II" offender under Tennessee law. This bill directly affects people facing dual convictions for these specific traffic-related crimes. The key provision mandates that the sentencing range for vehicular homicide cannot be set below the second-lowest tier (Range II) if the person is also convicted of fleeing the scene. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-13-213, 40-20-102, and 55-10-101.
SB 2365, the "Parental Rights Protection Act," requires courts to hold an expedited hearing within 15 days if a bond condition restricts a defendant's parental contact, custody, or visitation with a minor child (excluding cases where the child is a victim). The government must prove, with clear evidence, that a present threat of harm exists, less restrictive alternatives won't prevent harm, and the restriction serves the child's best interests. The bill presumes parental contact is in the child's best interest, shifting the burden to the government to justify restrictions. This directly affects defendants in criminal cases, courts issuing bond conditions, and children whose custody or visitation rights are restricted.
SB 336 changes Tennessee's voting rights laws by removing permanent voting bans for people convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or voter fraud. It updates the child support requirement from "being current in all obligations" to "compliant with all current child support orders" (allowing those with past arrears to regain voting rights). The bill also adds a 3-year waiting period after sentence completion for those convicted of the specified crimes before they can petition to restore voting rights. This directly affects individuals with these specific convictions who were previously barred from voting indefinitely.
HB 679 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, directly affecting providers who bill the criminal injuries compensation fund. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA or serology analysis on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with specific procedures for delays. The bill sets a July 1, 2025 effective date for both provisions, applying to exams performed and kits received after that date. These changes aim to improve compensation for medical providers and streamline forensic evidence processing in sexual assault cases.
HB 577 increases the state-funded stipend that eligible counties receive for housing each convicted felon in county facilities. This change directly affects counties operating correctional facilities, providing them with additional state funding per inmate. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (TCA Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to adjust the stipend amount. It was signed into law in May 2025 and takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 524 allows eligible veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to Montgomery County's veterans treatment court program under specific conditions. The bill affects veterans who meet the program's jurisdictional criteria (as if the crime occurred in Montgomery County), require a written waiver of their right to a jury trial in their home county, and have the Montgomery County District Attorney General agree to the transfer. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to permit this transfer process for contiguous counties with populations between 220,000-220,100 (based on 2020 census data), which Montgomery County satisfies. This creates a new procedural pathway for veterans to access specialized treatment courts instead of standard criminal proceedings. The bill became effective May 21, 2025, after Governor's approval.
HB 371 requires individuals convicted of Class A or Class B misdemeanors in Tennessee to complete a behavioral training course as part of their sentencing. Offenders must pay for the course (capped at $100), provide proof of completion to the court within a court-specified timeframe, and face potential jail time (up to 10 days) for failing to comply. The course must be accessible online, offered in multiple languages, include human interaction, and be provided by certified vendors meeting specific standards. This law affects misdemeanor offenders directly and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 69 requires Tennessee to create two secure electronic portals by January 1, 2028, to verify voter eligibility before processing registration applications. The first portal will let county election offices check if applicants are U.S. citizens using records from the Department of Safety (like driver's license data), and the second will verify felony conviction status using Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) records. The bill also updates driver's license laws to require proof of U.S. citizenship for new licenses and removes references to non-citizens in eligibility criteria. These changes directly affect voter applicants, county election administrators, and the Department of Safety/TBI in their verification processes.
