Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2465: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, adds to the list of certain offenses required to be served at 100 percent of the sentence imposed by the court undiminished by any sentence reduction credits, the attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit those offenses. - Amends TCA Section 40-35-501.

HB 2465 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-35-501 to require individuals convicted of certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without any sentence reduction credits. The bill specifically adds conspiracy, criminal attempt, and solicitation related to the offenses already listed in the statute (such as violent crimes and certain drug offenses) to the category of crimes where full sentences apply. This policy change directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who would otherwise qualify for sentence credits through programs like good behavior or rehabilitation. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates 100% sentence serving without credits for serious offenses, increasing mandatory sentencing and reducing defendant rights per TCA 40-35-501 amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2245: State Inmates - As introduced, requires the department of correction to keep a copy of each validated risk and needs assessment of each inmate under its supervision and control for the duration of the inmate's period of incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 41.

HB 2245 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to maintain a copy of each validated risk and needs assessment for every inmate under its supervision throughout their entire incarceration. This bill directly affects all state inmates by mandating that the department retain these specific assessment records. The key provision is the permanent retention of validated assessments, amending Tennessee Code Annotated Title 41 to ensure these documents remain available for the full duration of an inmate's sentence. The bill focuses on administrative record-keeping without creating new policies or altering inmate rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates retention of risk assessments to inform rehabilitation programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform goals like recidivism reduction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2405: Public Employees - As introduced, requires, instead of authorizes, the state and local governments to provide fully paid health insurance coverage to the immediate family members of state and local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty on or after January 1, 2020; removes the two-year limitation on the state or local government's full payment of such coverage; adds that family members of officers who suffer catastrophic injuries on or after January 1, 2020, also qualify for such coverage; requires the state to reimburse local governments that provide such coverage. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27.

HB 2405 requires Tennessee state and local governments to provide fully paid health insurance coverage to the immediate families (spouses and dependent children) of law enforcement officers killed or suffering catastrophic injuries in the line of duty on or after January 1, 2020. The bill removes the previous two-year limit on this coverage and expands eligibility to include officers with qualifying catastrophic injuries, defined as permanent impairments meeting specific medical criteria (e.g., paralysis, severe burns, or brain/spinal cord injuries). It mandates that employers pay all premiums for these families and requires the state to reimburse local governments for the costs. This policy directly affects law enforcement officers' families and state/local government budgets, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill supports law enforcement by requiring health insurance for families of officers killed/injured in line of duty, directly addressing a key component of criminal justice policy.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates fully paid health insurance for qualifying families of law enforcement officers, expanding coverage eligibility and removing time limits on benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Insurance

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2619: Sentencing - As introduced, increases from one year to three years the amount of time a defendant receiving a split sentence of confinement and probation may be required to serve a portion of the sentence in continuous confinement in the local jail or workhouse; specifies that the state is responsible for all costs of incarceration after the first year. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2619 changes Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving a split sentence (part jail time, part probation). It increases the required continuous jail time from one year to three years for such cases, and specifies that the state must cover all jail costs after the first year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-35-306 and 40-35-314 to implement these changes. This directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee who are sentenced to split confinement and probation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory jail time from 1 to 3 years for split sentences, reducing judicial discretion and defendant rights per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2531: Correctional Programs - As enacted, creates the state families of incarcerated individuals advisory board within the department of correction for the purposes of assisting the families of incarcerated individuals. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41.

SB 2531 creates a state family advisory board within Tennessee's Department of Correction. The board, composed of nine family members of currently incarcerated individuals (appointed equally by the governor, Senate Speaker, and House Speaker), aims to improve communication between correctional facilities and families. Key provisions require the board to meet monthly, hold three annual public meetings across Tennessee's regions, and provide feedback on department activities to support family reunification and successful reentry. This bill directly affects families of incarcerated individuals by establishing a formal channel for their input on correctional programs. The board will operate without pay but receive travel reimbursement for official duties, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates family advisory board to improve communication between correctional facilities and families of incarcerated individuals, promoting rehabilitation and family reunification within correctional system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2221: Courts - As enacted, requires the clerks of the criminal courts to provide the Tennessee sheriffs' association with all court data necessary for the administration of the criminal proceedings notification system. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 40 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 6.

HB 2221 increases the required notice period for crime victims registered in Tennessee's criminal proceedings notification system from 24 to 36 hours before any hearing related to their case. This change directly affects victims who have opted into the state's notification system to receive updates about criminal cases involving them. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 40-38-507(b)(1) to implement this longer notice period, affecting how the system communicates with registered victims. The policy change focuses solely on extending the notice window for victims' awareness, with no other provisions or impacts described in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends victim notification period from 24 to 36 hours, strengthening protections for crime victims in criminal proceedings per TCA 40-38-507(b)(1).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2266: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for vehicular homicide from a Class C felony to a Class B felony if the offense occurred as the proximate result of the driver's extreme and excessive rate of speed; defines "extreme and excessive rate of speed" as traveling at more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

HB 2266 amends Tennessee law to increase the penalty for vehicular homicide from a Class C felony to a Class B felony when the death results from a driver traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The bill directly affects drivers whose extreme speeding (defined as exceeding the speed limit by 20+ mph) causes a fatal crash. It creates a specific speed threshold ("extreme and excessive rate of speed") and upgrades the felony classification for such cases. This change applies to prosecutions under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-213(a)(5) and (b)(4), effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases vehicular homicide penalty from Class C to Class B felony for excessive speeding, strengthening punitive sentencing per bill's explicit penalty upgrade.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for dangerous speeding (20+ mph over limit) causing death, directly enhancing road safety through stricter vehicle regulation enforcement.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 2178: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for patronizing prostitution from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B or Class A felony under certain circumstances that are currently punished as trafficking for a commercial sex act. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

SB 2178 increases penalties for buying sex (patronizing prostitution) in specific situations. It upgrades the offense to a Class B felony if the person bought sex from a law enforcement officer posing as a minor or someone with an intellectual disability, and to a Class A felony if the person was a minor under 18. The bill also adds a minimum 7-day jail term and $1,000 fine for buying sex within 1.5 miles of a school. These changes directly affect individuals who engage in buying sex from vulnerable groups or near schools, raising penalties from misdemeanor to felony levels.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for patronizing prostitution to felony levels, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House May 26, 2026

HB 2111: Correctional Programs - As enacted, creates the state families of incarcerated individuals advisory board within the department of correction for the purposes of assisting the families of incarcerated individuals. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41.

HB 2111 creates a state family advisory board within Tennessee's Department of Correction to directly support families of incarcerated individuals. The board will consist of nine appointed family members (including grandparents, parents, spouses, or other relatives), with three members selected by the governor and one from each of Tennessee's three grand divisions by the legislative leaders. Key provisions require the board to foster communication between families and the correctional department, strengthen family reunification efforts, support community reentry, and provide feedback on department activities through regular meetings and three annual public forums. The board will operate without pay but receive travel reimbursement, with members serving three-year terms starting in 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates family advisory board to support incarcerated individuals' families, fostering communication and aiding rehabilitation - directly aligns with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2153: Domestic Violence - As introduced, enacts "Katherine's Law"; creates the offense of aggravated domestic assault, which is a Class B felony. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 2153, known as "Katherine's Law," creates a new offense called "aggravated domestic assault" under Tennessee law. This offense applies when someone intentionally or knowingly assaults a domestic abuse victim (as defined in existing law) using a deadly weapon, strangulation, or causing serious injury or death. Aggravated domestic assault is classified as a Class B felony, making it a more serious criminal charge than standard domestic assault. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and will apply to offenses occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class B felony for aggravated domestic assault (deadly weapon/strangulation), strengthening penalties for severe cases per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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