Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 1941: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a firefighter, emergency services personnel, or other person who responds to calls for emergency assistance from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 30-day sentence and $5,000 fine to a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum 60-day sentence and $10,000 fine. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1941 increases penalties for assaulting firefighters, emergency responders, and others providing emergency assistance while they are responding to calls. It changes the offense from a Class A misdemeanor (30-day minimum jail term and $5,000 fine) to a Class E felony (60-day minimum jail term and $10,000 fine). The bill amends Tennessee law to require these mandatory sentences and fines for such assaults, applying directly to anyone who physically harms emergency personnel during their duties. This change specifically targets violent acts against those on the front lines of emergencies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for assaults on emergency responders, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and expanded criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1815: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts the "Grace Anne Sparks Coercive Suicide Prevention Law of 2026." - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1815 creates a new Class D felony offense for AI system owners who permit their systems to advise or encourage suicide when the user has already communicated suicidal intent. Specifically, it targets owners of AI systems (including generative AI like chatbots) that, knowing the user expressed intent to harm themselves, provide suicide-related advice without adequate safeguards. The law applies if the AI owner negligently allowed the system to remain accessible to the user during this high-risk period. This bill directly affects AI developers and companies operating systems in Tennessee, imposing criminal liability for specific AI interactions involving imminent suicide risk. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class D felony for AI owners enabling suicide advice, expanding criminalization beyond traditional offenses per indicators.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI system deployment by imposing felony liability on owners who permit harmful suicide advice without safeguards, directly limiting AI functionality in high-risk scenarios.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1656: 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.

SB 1656, known as "Matthew Davenport's Law," prohibits the possession, manufacture, delivery, or sale of Kratom (defined broadly to include derivatives and synthetic versions), with penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for simple possession to a Class B felony for selling to minors. It requires toxicology testing for Kratom in cases of suspected drug overdose deaths (via medical examiners) and in specific medical scenarios like neonatal abstinence syndrome (via treating physicians). The law also mandates adding Kratom to the state's official drug definition for workplace testing. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses/penalties for Kratom possession/sale, increasing legal restrictions under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1765: Probation and Parole - As introduced, permits a trial judge to revoke a defendant's probation for a felony or misdemeanor based on one instance of technical violation; extends the permitted terms of incarceration a court may impose for a technical violation to 90 days for a first revocation, 180 days for a second revocation, and the remainder of the sentence for a third or subsequent revocation. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 1765 allows Tennessee trial judges to revoke probation for felony or misdemeanor offenders based solely on a "technical violation" (like missing a check-in or failing a drug test), without requiring a new crime. For first or second revocations, judges can impose up to 90 or 180 days in jail, respectively; third or subsequent revocations may result in the full remaining sentence. The bill explicitly excludes new criminal offenses from this process, requiring separate handling under existing rules. It defines "technical violation" as breaking probation terms without committing a new crime, and offers community-based alternatives for resentence. This changes how courts handle probation breaches, focusing on minor rule violations rather than new offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands incarceration for technical probation violations (e.g., missed check-ins), increasing mandatory jail terms without new crimes, restricting defendant rights and opposing reform efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1573: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, adds the advisement or encouragement to commit suicide to the offense of assisted suicide under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1573 amends Tennessee's assisted suicide law to criminalize intentionally advising or encouraging another person to commit suicide within an imminent timeframe, provided the advisor knows the person has communicated suicidal intent. This directly affects individuals who verbally encourage suicide, expanding the offense beyond merely providing means or participating in the act. Key provisions require both knowledge of the person's suicidal intent and the intent to incite immediate suicide, with sentencing set as a Class D felony (Class C if the victim is a minor). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to acts committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding advising/encouraging suicide as a new offense, increasing criminal liability under criminal justice law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1678: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalties for a violation of the offense of introduction or possession of contraband into a penal institution from a Class C felony to a Class B felony for certain acts and certain types of contraband, from a Class D felony to a Class C felony for certain acts and certain types of contraband, and from a Class E felony to a Class D felony for certain acts involving a telecommunication device if the violation resulted in the death of another person. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1678 amends Tennessee law to increase penalties for introducing or possessing contraband in prisons. It raises the felony classification for certain violations (like bringing weapons or drugs) from a Class C to Class B felony, Class D to Class C, or Class E to Class D felony if the act results in another person's death. The bill specifically targets cases involving telecommunication devices (like phones) if death occurs. These changes directly affect individuals who bring prohibited items into correctional facilities, such as inmates, visitors, or staff.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for prison contraband by upgrading felony classifications, imposing harsher sentences for death-related incidents, directly expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1854: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the offense of adulteration of food, liquids, or pharmaceuticals to include adulteration for the purpose of making the user of the food, liquid, or pharmaceutical involuntarily intoxicated; classifies the offense as a Class D felony. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1854 would expand Tennessee's criminal law to criminalize adulterating food, drinks, or medicine with the intent to cause involuntary intoxication. It classifies this act as a Class D felony (with higher penalties for causing injury or death), directly affecting individuals who intentionally tamper with consumable products to make users involuntarily intoxicated. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-17-107 and 40 to define the offense and establish specific felony classifications based on the perpetrator's intent. This change would apply to any adulterated product designed for human consumption or medical use, including restaurants, pharmacies, or personal items.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by classifying intentional adulteration for involuntary intoxication as a Class D felony, increasing penalties without reform elements.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 1779: Immigration - As enacted, creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally failing or refusing to depart when a final order of removal is outstanding; creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally entering, attempting to enter, or being found in this state after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed from the United States. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1779 creates two new Class A misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee related to immigration status. It makes it illegal for individuals with a final removal order to remain in the state beyond 90 days without departing, and for those previously denied entry, deported, or removed to re-enter the state without federal consent. The bill would impose penalties including up to 11 months in jail for these violations, with courts required to stay criminal proceedings if the person is still challenging the federal removal order through legal channels. The law’s implementation is delayed until after a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturns *Arizona v. United States* (2012) or federal law explicitly allows states to determine unlawful presence, with full effect scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for immigration status violations, imposing jail time and expanding criminalization of immigration matters, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanding criminalization.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates Class A misdemeanors for immigrants with removal orders or denied entry, imposing jail time and increasing state enforcement against undocumented individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2065: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the offense of aggravated criminal trespass to include trespassing that results in the disruption of a religious assembly, which is a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 2065 amends Tennessee's aggravated criminal trespass law to include disrupting a religious assembly within a building on property as a new qualifying condition. This change makes such disruption a Class A misdemeanor, the highest misdemeanor offense in Tennessee, directly affecting individuals who enter or remain on property without permission and interfere with religious services. The bill adds this specific provision to the existing criteria for aggravated trespass, which already covers causing fear, damaging barriers, or recklessly damaging property. It does not alter penalties for other trespass offenses but expands the definition to explicitly protect religious gatherings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding disruption of religious assemblies to aggravated trespass, making it a Class A misdemeanor, increasing penalties for a specific offense.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1633: Sentencing - As enacted, requires a sentencing court to order the sentences for two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim to run consecutively unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts of the case do not warrant the imposition of consecutive sentences and the imposition of consecutive sentences would not be in the best interest of justice. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 1633 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentences aren't warranted and wouldn't harm justice. This applies to all cases with multiple minor victims, regardless of whether the offenses occurred together. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors and sentencing courts, changing how they handle sentencing for these cases. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive sentences for multiple minor victim offenses, increasing sentencing severity and opposing criminal justice reform trends that reduce mandatory harsh penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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