Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1764: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, removes the limitation on the penalty for illegally possessing a telecommunication device in a penal institution that required the Class E felony to be punished by a fine only. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1764 amends Tennessee law to change the penalty for illegally possessing a telecommunication device (like a cell phone) in a prison or jail. Currently, this offense is classified as a Class E felony but must be punished by a fine only. The bill removes that restriction, allowing standard Class E felony penalties - including potential jail time - to apply. This change directly affects individuals convicted of this offense in Tennessee's penal institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves fine-only restriction for prison cell phone possession, enabling jail time and increasing penalties for a non-violent offense, expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 1642: Public Records - As enacted, deletes expiration dates for certain public record exemptions. - Amends TCA Section 10-7-504.

HB 1642 removes expiration dates for specific public record exemptions in Tennessee law, amending TCA Section 10-7-504. The bill deletes five listed exemptions (including those related to law enforcement records and personnel files) that previously had set end dates. This change makes these exemptions permanent, meaning government agencies no longer need to re-evaluate their applicability after a certain period. The bill directly affects state and local government agencies that manage public records, as it alters how long certain information remains exempt from disclosure requests under the state’s open records law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill makes law enforcement record exemptions permanent, reducing transparency and oversight of law enforcement, which weakens accountability in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Government Transparency

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 1871: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires a person convicted of second degree murder by knowingly killing another to be sentenced as no lower than a Range II offender. - Amends TCA Section 39-13-210 and Title 40.

HB 1871 amends Tennessee law to require that anyone convicted of second-degree murder (specifically for knowingly killing another) must receive a minimum sentence of Range II, the second-lowest sentencing range for criminal offenses. This directly affects individuals convicted of second-degree murder under the specified circumstances, setting a floor for their sentencing. The bill changes sentencing guidelines by prohibiting judges from imposing a sentence below Range II for these convictions, though sentences could still fall within Range III if deemed appropriate. The law applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates minimum Range II sentencing for second-degree murder convictions, restricting judicial discretion and increasing mandatory sentences per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 1930: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires a person convicted of second degree murder by knowingly killing another to be sentenced as no lower than a Range II offender. - Amends TCA Section 39-13-210 and Title 40.

SB 1930 amends Tennessee law to require that anyone convicted of second-degree murder (specifically for knowingly killing another) receive a minimum sentence as a Range II offender. This means judges cannot sentence such offenders below the standard Range II sentencing level, though sentences could still fall within Range III if warranted. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals convicted of second-degree murder in Tennessee. It changes the sentencing minimum without altering the maximum penalties for this crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires minimum Range II sentencing for second-degree murder, restricting judicial discretion and increasing mandatory sentences per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1757: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates an offense of recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in close proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place of public gathering or at a public event where there are at least 25 people in attendance at the time of the discharge; punishes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor; specifies certain exceptions to the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 1757 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, water, or an object near people at public gatherings or events with at least 25 attendees. It directly affects individuals who recklessly fire guns in these settings, such as during concerts, sports events, or festivals. Key exceptions include law enforcement officers acting in duty, military personnel, wildlife officers, and situations involving self-defense against animal attacks. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for reckless firearm discharge at public gatherings, expanding criminalization without reform indicators like reduced sentences or enhanced rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1649: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts "Matthew Davenport's Law," which creates certain criminal offenses and testing requirements related to Kratom. - Amends TCA Title 33, Chapter 2; Title 38; Title 39; Title 50; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1649, known as "Matthew Davenport's Law," makes it illegal to possess, manufacture, deliver, or sell Kratom (including synthetic versions) in Tennessee, with penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for possession to a Class B felony for selling to minors. The bill requires medical examiners to test decedents who died of suspected drug overdoses for Kratom, and mandates doctors to include Kratom testing in cases of suspected overdose or neonatal withdrawal symptoms in newborns. It also adds Kratom to the state’s definition of "drug" for regulatory purposes. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting individuals using Kratom, medical professionals, and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of Kratom via new offenses and penalties, increasing legal restrictions without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 2127: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates the criminal offense of intentionally communicating a threat of harm to a public official or a member of the public official's immediate family; punishes a violation as a Class E felony. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 2127 would have created a new Class E felony offense for intentionally threatening a public official or their immediate family member (including spouses, parents, siblings, or children) due to the official’s role. The bill required that the threat be perceived as harmful by a reasonable person and made because of the official’s position. It defined "immediate family" broadly to include stepparents, stepchildren, and adoptive relationships. The bill was introduced in the Tennessee Senate in early 2026 but was withdrawn before passing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class E felony for threatening officials, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties beyond existing laws.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1953: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, removes from the offense of violation of a protective order or restraining order the requirement that the person violating the order must have had an opportunity to appear and be heard in connection with the order of protection or restraining order and that the court must have made specific findings of fact in the order that the person committed a certain offense. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

HB 1953 modifies Tennessee's legal standards for violations of protective or restraining orders. It removes two specific requirements: that the person violating the order must have had a prior court hearing opportunity, and that the court must have made detailed factual findings about the violation in the original order. This change simplifies the legal process for prosecuting violations, directly affecting individuals accused of breaching such orders and the courts enforcing them. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 39-13-113 and 39-17-1316, taking effect July 1, 2026. It focuses on procedural adjustments to enforcement, not substantive policy changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves procedural safeguards (prior hearing requirement, factual findings) for protective order violations, reducing defendant due process and expanding prosecutorial authority, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1922: Sexual Offenders - As enacted, requires sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders to notify the owner or operator of any campground on which the offender intends to stay overnight of the offender's status as a sexual offender or violent sexual offender prior to beginning the stay; creates the offense of knowingly staying overnight at a campground without providing the required notice, which is punished as a Class E felony. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.

HB 1922 requires sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders in Tennessee to notify a campground owner or operator in advance if they plan to stay overnight at that campground. This applies specifically to individuals required to register under state law who intend to use campground facilities. Failing to provide this notice before staying overnight would be a Class E felony offense. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2, to establish this requirement and penalty.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class E felony for non-notification, expanding criminalization of sexual offenders' campground stays without reform benefits.90% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1929: 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.

SB 1929 requires individuals convicted of conspiracy, attempt, or solicitation to commit certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without reduction credits (like good time). It expands the existing list of offenses subject to this rule to include these preparatory acts for the same crimes already mandated to have full sentences. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying offenses that trigger the rule. This policy change affects people convicted of these specific preparatory acts for the designated crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands mandatory 100% sentencing without credits for conspiracy/attempt, restricting defendant rights and increasing punishment for preparatory acts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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