SB 1022 expands Tennessee's assault law to protect additional public safety personnel by redefining "law enforcement officer" to include correctional officers working in county jails, state prisons, or private prisons, and probation/parole officers employed by the state or private providers. This change directly affects those officers by extending the legal protections of the assault offense statute to them, meaning assaulting them would now carry the same penalties as assaulting traditional law enforcement. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-116 to explicitly list these roles in the definition, removing ambiguity about their coverage. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing penalties for assault.
SB 924 adds 10 new assistant district attorney general positions and 10 new criminal investigator positions in Tennessee judicial districts that include state correctional facilities. These roles are specifically designated for handling criminal cases related to offenses occurring within state prisons, including violations of specific prison-related laws. The bill requires prison staff to provide full access to evidence and cooperation for these prosecutors and investigators. The positions will be funded at specified pay levels and take effect on July 1, 2025, for districts including the first, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth, twentieth, twenty-second, twenty-fifth, twenty-ninth, thirtieth, and thirty-second judicial districts.
SB 482 strengthens Tennessee's laws against non-consensual photography by expanding the definition of "unlawful photography" to include photos where the defendant knew the victim would be engaged in sexual activity. It upgrades penalties for this offense to a Class D felony (from a Class A misdemeanor or Class E felony) in specific cases, making the punishment more severe. The bill also allows courts to issue protection orders for victims who have been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of such photography. This directly affects victims of non-consensual photo sharing and those who commit this act, creating clearer legal consequences and additional protections.
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.
SB 1407 would amend Tennessee law to allow the use of deadly force to protect property, such as preventing burglary, theft, or damage to livestock, under specific conditions. It directly affects property owners and occupants who face intruders or property crimes. Key changes include lowering the standard for deadly force (requiring only a reasonable belief that force is necessary to stop the crime), defining "deadly force" to exclude merely displaying or brandishing a weapon, and updating legal references to include property protection under self-defense statutes. The bill would not permit deadly force if less lethal options are available to protect the property or if the force used wouldn’t cause death or serious injury.
SB 920 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic medical exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, effective July 1, 2025. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA testing on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with written explanations for delays beyond that timeframe. The bill affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and the Bureau of Investigation by changing payment standards and establishing new timelines for evidence processing. Kits flagged for delay must be analyzed "within a reasonable time thereafter," and the bill clarifies that delays don't affect evidence admissibility. These changes apply to exams performed and kits received on or after July 1, 2025.
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.
SB 186 increases state payments to counties for housing convicted felons by raising the accreditation stipend per inmate. This directly affects counties that operate local jails or hold inmates under state supervision. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (including Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to implement this payment increase. The change became law on June 4, 2025, after passing through legislative committees.
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.
