Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 1636: Evidence - As introduced, permits the introduction into evidence of a video recording of a child victim being interviewed by a forensic interviewer regarding sexual or physically violent contact with the child if the forensic interviewer is an employee of the department of children's services and meets certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 2 and Title 24, Chapter 7, Part 1.

HB 1636 allows video recordings of child victims interviewed by forensic interviewers to be used as evidence in court. The bill specifically permits this when the interviewer is a Department of Children's Services (DCS) employee who meets certain qualifications and conducts interviews under a qualifying child advocacy center. It amends Tennessee evidence law to establish these requirements for admissibility. The provision expires on July 1, 2031, and applies only to cases involving sexual or physical violence against children. This directly affects court proceedings involving child victims and the evidence standards for DCS-employed interviewers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows child victim interview videos as admissible evidence under DCS qualifications, reducing retraumatization and improving court efficiency in sexual/physical violence cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1523: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the inmate disciplinary oversight board to June 30, 2028. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10.

SB 1523 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board to June 30, 2028. This board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates in state correctional facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10) to update the board's sunset date. The extension ensures continued oversight of inmate discipline processes without altering the board's existing responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends oversight board for inmate disciplinary reviews, maintaining accountability in corrections without altering responsibilities, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 144: Memorials, Congress - Urges the United States Department of Justice and the federal government to immediately comply with the law and release the remaining Jeffrey Epstein files in the interest of justice, transparency, and the protection of women and children. -

HR 144 is a Tennessee House resolution urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately release remaining Epstein-related files required by law, including flight logs, communications, financial records, and identities of individuals connected to Epstein's crimes. It directly addresses the federal government, citing the DOJ's failure to meet a court-ordered deadline for disclosure. The resolution emphasizes that transparency is essential for justice, protecting victims, and upholding Tennessee's values regarding accountability for sexual exploitation. While non-binding, it calls on Tennessee's congressional delegation to support federal efforts to compel the file release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges DOJ to release Epstein files for transparency, justice, and victim protection - key criminal justice reform principles aligning with accountability and victim rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 1622: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the post-conviction defender oversight commission to June 30, 2032. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 40, Chapter 30, Part 2.

HB 1622 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Post-Conviction Defender Oversight Commission from its original deadline to June 30, 2032. This commission oversees public defenders representing individuals after conviction, directly affecting those legal services and the oversight body managing them. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections to update the commission's sunset date, ensuring its continued operation without requiring new legislation before 2032. The change provides long-term stability for the oversight process but does not alter the commission's duties or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends oversight of public defenders post-conviction, ensuring continued quality representation for indigent defendants and strengthening oversight mechanisms in criminal justice.85% confidence

died · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1996: Controlled Substances - As introduced, permits a person to possess cannabis that was obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician; specifies the sentences permitted for possessing certain amounts of cannabis that was not obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.

HB 1996 modifies Tennessee's cannabis possession laws by creating a medical exception and establishing tiered penalties for non-medical use. It permits possession only if cannabis was obtained directly from a licensed physician for a qualifying medical condition (as defined in TCA §68-7-101). For non-medical possession, it sets fines up to $100 for 1 ounce or less (with no jail time), and increases penalties for larger amounts or repeat offenses - up to $2,500 fines and 6 months in jail for third offenses of more than 1 ounce. The bill directly affects Tennessee residents who possess cannabis, distinguishing between medical use and non-compliant possession.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces penalties for minor cannabis possession (no jail for ≤1oz) and creates medical exemption, decreasing criminalization of low-level offenses per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables medical cannabis access through licensed physician diagnosis, expanding patient treatment options for qualifying conditions under healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1741: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, authorizes the department to adopt or amend a formulary for use in the correctional facilities operated by or on behalf of the department. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 41; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1741 requires insurers covering incarcerated individuals in Tennessee to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids on their preferred drug lists (PDL). Specifically, insurers must not disadvantage or discourage coverage for non-opioid pain treatments compared to opioids, provided the non-opioid has been FDA-approved for pain management for at least nine months. The bill applies to all insurance policies covering inmates, including those through TennCare or private insurers, and amends multiple Tennessee Code titles related to healthcare coverage. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not prevent insurers from favoring one opioid over another or one non-opioid over another.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires insurers to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain treatments equally with opioids for incarcerated individuals, improving healthcare access in corrections and supporting rehabilitation-focused reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for FDA-approved non-opioid pain treatments vs opioids, advancing safer pain management access for incarcerated patients and reducing opioid reliance in healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 1839: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, prohibits the department from removing a state inmate from a local jail facility for the purpose of relocating the inmate to a state facility if the inmate is participating in a work release or re-entry program unless the inmate has failed to meet the work release or in-house duty requirements, or the inmate's disciplinary records warrant the inmate's removal from participation in the work release or re-entry program. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1839 prevents Tennessee's Department of Correction from moving inmates from local jails to state facilities if they're in work release or re-entry programs. The bill specifically prohibits relocation unless an inmate fails to meet program requirements or has disciplinary issues that warrant removal. This directly affects inmates participating in these community-based programs, ensuring they can continue their supervision in local jails without unnecessary transfer. The law amends Tennessee statutes to enforce this restriction, focusing on maintaining program stability for eligible participants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents unnecessary inmate transfers from local jails to state facilities, preserving work release/re-entry program participation to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 1589: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As enacted, authorizes the Tennessee corrections institute to establish certification requirements for corrections officers and to inspect and certify local correctional training academies; makes various changes regarding plans of action that may be submitted by a local certified facility following annual inspection; allows the director and full-time employees of the Tennessee corrections institute to carry a handgun under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 41.

SB 1589 authorizes Tennessee’s Corrections Institute to establish certification requirements for corrections officers and inspect local correctional training academies serving jails and lock-ups. It changes how local facilities can avoid losing certification after inspections by requiring detailed plans of action for deficiencies, with strict time limits and safety safeguards. The bill also allows directors and full-time employees of the Corrections Institute to carry handguns while performing their duties. These provisions directly affect local correctional facilities, their staff, and training programs across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes certification standards and safety inspections for correctional facilities, enhancing oversight and safety protocols per bill's focus on facility inspections and employee safety safeguards.85% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SJR 559: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to pass the Eliminating Discrimination And Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success (ED ACCESS) Act of 2022. -

SJR 559 is a Tennessee legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass the ED ACCESS Act of 2022. This federal bill would remove a ban preventing students with felony drug convictions from accessing the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), a key federal tax credit for college costs. The resolution cites research showing correctional education programs reduce recidivism and argues that denying the AOTC makes college less affordable for this group without deterring drug crime, noting similar restrictions don’t apply to other felonies. It does not change current law but formally supports federal action to address this policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdvocates for expanding access to federal tax credit (AOTC) for college costs, aligning with tax relief for lower-income students with felony convictions.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges removal of AOTC ban for felons with drug convictions, citing correctional education reduces recidivism and promotes rehabilitation through education access.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUrges removal of ban on AOTC for felons, expanding college access and affordability for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Civil Rights Higher Education

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1535: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the post-conviction defender oversight commission to June 30, 2032. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 40, Chapter 30, Part 2.

SB 1535 extends the operation of Tennessee's Post-Conviction Defender Oversight Commission until June 30, 2032, by amending two sections of the Tennessee Code (Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 40, Chapter 30, Part 2). The bill updates legal references to clarify the commission's structure and ongoing authority, ensuring its continued oversight of post-conviction defense services. This extension directly affects the commission itself and the public defenders it monitors, who provide legal representation to individuals convicted of crimes seeking post-conviction relief. The change is procedural, maintaining the commission's role without altering substantive legal standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends oversight of post-conviction defense services, maintaining protections for defendants' rights and ensuring continued oversight of legal representation in criminal cases.90% confidence

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