Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 99: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission to June 30, 2031. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1.

SB 99 extends the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission's operational authority until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic expiration. This bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing the commission's structure (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1) to remove an outdated reference and clarify its ongoing role. The commission directly affects peace officers and law enforcement training programs across Tennessee by overseeing standards and certification. This is a procedural extension of an existing agency, not a new policy change, ensuring continuity in officer training oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends commission overseeing peace officer training standards, ensuring consistent law enforcement oversight and preventing operational gaps in criminal justice system administration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 481: Forfeiture of Assets - As enacted, removes the requirement for a claimant to post a bond when filing a claim to seized property. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 33.

SB 481 removes a requirement for individuals or entities claiming seized property to post a bond when filing a claim under Tennessee's asset forfeiture laws. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-33-205(a) and 40-33-206(b) to eliminate the need for a "cost bond" in forfeiture proceedings. This change directly affects people challenging law enforcement seizures of property, making it easier to contest such seizures without upfront financial barriers. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all seizures occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barrier for challenging asset seizures, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform by easing access to contest law enforcement property seizures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 553: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands "law enforcement officer" to include a correctional officer employed by a county jail, the department of correction, or a private prison contractor and a probation or parole officer employed by the department of correction or a private probation provider for purposes of the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

HB 553 amends Tennessee's assault law to broaden the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include correctional officers working in county jails, state facilities, or private prisons, as well as probation and parole officers employed by the state or private providers. This change directly affects these correctional and probation officers by extending legal protections against assault to cover them under the same criminal penalties that apply to traditional law enforcement. The bill specifically updates Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-116 to list these new categories explicitly, ensuring they are protected under the assault offense statute. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands legal protections for correctional/probation officers under assault laws, strengthening workforce safety in corrections system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1442: Law Enforcement - As introduced, enacts the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)." - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 39.

HB 1442, titled the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to remove masks or face coverings during public interactions while on duty, except for N95 masks used to prevent disease transmission or smoke masks during natural disasters. It also mandates that officers visibly display their name or badge number at all times during public interactions. Violating these requirements would be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and the law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers operating within Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates visible officer identification and mask removal during public interactions, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 679: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that when the victim of a sexually oriented crime is a minor, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for the victim to receive a forensic medical examination. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38 and Title 39.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim support via higher provider compensation and mandates faster DNA analysis, directly advancing evidence processing and victim care in sexual assault cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 581: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement officer initiating a traffic stop or pedestrian stop, on or after January 1, 2026, to inform the person stopped of the reason for the stop before engaging the person in questioning related to an investigation of a possible criminal offense or traffic violation; permits the officer to withhold such information if the officer believes that doing so is necessary to protect life or property from an imminent threat. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 581 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to inform individuals they stop (for traffic or pedestrian reasons) of the specific reason for the stop before questioning them about possible crimes or violations. This rule takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all officers making such stops. Officers may withhold the reason only if they believe it is necessary to protect life or property from an immediate threat. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to law enforcement procedures (Titles 38, 39, and 40).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to disclose stop reasons before questioning, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 587: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds organized retail crime and possession or employment of a firearm during the commission of or attempt to commit a dangerous felony to the definition of racketeering activity; clarifies that carjacking is a racketeering activity. - Amends TCA Title 39.

This Tennessee bill (HB 587) expands the state's definition of racketeering activity to include organized retail crime (like large-scale shoplifting) and carrying a firearm during a dangerous felony. It also explicitly adds carjacking to the list of activities classified as racketeering. These changes will affect law enforcement investigations and prosecutions of these specific crimes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding organized retail crime, firearm possession during felonies, and carjacking to racketeering definitions, increasing penalties for these offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1399: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates an offense for a person who harms or threatens to harm an individual involved in the judicial process or a family member of such person with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against the justice system participant in connection with their participation in the judicial process, punishable as a Class E felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16.

SB 1399 creates a new Class E felony offense in Tennessee for anyone who harms or threatens to harm a person involved in the judicial process (such as witnesses, judges, jurors, prosecutors, law enforcement, or court staff) or their family members. It specifically targets actions taken to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against someone for participating in court proceedings. The bill defines "family member" broadly (including spouses, parents, children, and siblings) and lists all covered judicial participants. This law, effective July 1, 2025, aims to protect individuals who engage with the justice system from targeted threats or violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects judicial participants (witnesses, judges, etc.) from intimidation, strengthening court integrity and safety per bill's explicit intent to penalize interference with judicial process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1367: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement officer initiating a traffic stop or pedestrian stop, on or after January 1, 2026, to inform the person stopped of the reason for the stop before engaging the person in questioning related to an investigation of a possible criminal offense or traffic violation; permits the officer to withhold such information if the officer believes that doing so is necessary to protect life or property from an imminent threat. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1367 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to inform individuals stopped during a traffic or pedestrian stop of the reason for the stop before questioning them about a potential crime or traffic violation. The rule takes effect January 1, 2026, but officers may withhold the reason if they believe it's necessary to protect life or property from an immediate danger. The bill directly affects people stopped by police and officers conducting such stops, aiming to clarify the interaction process. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 38, 39, and 40 to implement this requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to state stop reason before questioning, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 595: Bail, Bail Bonds - As introduced, requires a sheriff to accept the surrender of a criminal defendant on pretrial release by a bail bondsman or surety for good cause, pending a hearing by a court with jurisdiction to admit to bail to determine whether there is good cause for the surrender. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 11.

SB 595 requires Tennessee sheriffs to accept surrender of defendants from bail bond companies when there's "good cause," pending a court hearing to determine if that cause is valid. This affects bail bond companies, sheriffs, and defendants on pretrial release by changing how surrenders are handled. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA 40-11-132) to mandate that sheriffs accept these surrenders immediately rather than rejecting them without court review. It establishes a clear process where a court - not the sheriff - decides if the surrender reason (e.g., defendant fleeing) is justified. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of April 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates court review for bail bond surrenders, adding judicial oversight to prevent arbitrary detention and aligns with bail reform goals protecting defendant rights in criminal justice process.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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