Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1755: DUI Offenses - As introduced, adds a 30-day mandatory minimum period of incarceration for persons convicted of driving under the influence if, at the time of the offense, the person was within a marked school zone and a warning flasher or flashers were in operation. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

HB 1755 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone when warning flashers (like those on school buses) were active. This applies to all DUI convictions meeting both conditions, increasing the sentence beyond the standard penalty under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-401 and 55-10-402 to implement this change, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects drivers convicted of DUI in active school zone scenarios with operational warning lights. The provision does not apply to DUI offenses without these specific conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory 30-day jail sentence for DUI in school zones increases penalties, directly aligning with 'oppose' indicator of stricter sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 1539: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates an offense to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess any compound, liquid, gas, or chemical that contains nitrous oxide. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7; Title 63 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10.

HB 1539 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or amyl nitrite ("poppers"), except for medical use, food service (as a propellant), manufacturing, or use by adults 21+ for personal or automotive purposes. The bill includes specific exceptions, such as prescriptions from medical professionals and food industry use, but labels or added flavors create a presumption against these exceptions. Businesses selling these substances face penalties, including 30-day license suspensions for first violations and revocation for second offenses. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for nitrous oxide use, expanding criminalization without reform elements or protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1980: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, allows the court to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order the defendant held without bail for no more than 10 days pending a bail revocation hearing if the defendant violates a condition of release, is charged with an offense committed during the defendant's release, or engages in conduct that results in the obstruction of the orderly and expeditious progress of the trial. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 11.

HB 1980 amends Tennessee's bail law to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and hold them without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new crime while out, or obstruct court proceedings. This temporary hold requires a written court order and a hearing within the 10-day period. If violations are confirmed at the hearing, the court may permanently revoke bail, requiring the defendant to remain in custody until trial. The bill directly affects defendants released on bail who breach their conditions, changing existing procedures for managing such cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts defendant rights by enabling temporary bail revocation for violations, increasing pretrial detention without reform focus, aligning with 'reduces defendant rights' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1967: Sentencing - As enacted, enacts the "James Bardsley, Jr. Life Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

HB 1967 would increase penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a traffic accident in Tennessee. For accidents causing injury, the penalty would rise from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. For accidents where death occurred and the driver knew or should have known, the penalty would increase from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for hit-and-run causing injury/death to higher felony classifications, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights through harsher sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for hit-and-run accidents, enhancing transportation safety standards under traffic regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Vehicle Registration

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2138: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires a person convicted of vehicular homicide proximately resulting from the person's intoxication to be punished as no lower than a Range II offender if the person, as a result of the same course of conduct, is also convicted of leaving the scene of the accident. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

SB 2138 requires that individuals convicted of vehicular homicide caused by intoxication **and** leaving the scene of the accident (a hit-and-run) be sentenced as a minimum "Range II" offender under Tennessee law. This bill directly affects people facing dual convictions for these specific traffic-related crimes. The key provision mandates that the sentencing range for vehicular homicide cannot be set below the second-lowest tier (Range II) if the person is also convicted of fleeing the scene. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-13-213, 40-20-102, and 55-10-101.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates minimum Range II sentencing for vehicular homicide with hit-and-run, increasing penalties for intoxication-related offenses.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens penalties for intoxication-related vehicular homicide and hit-and-run, directly enhancing transportation safety through stricter sentencing for traffic-related criminal offenses.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime Vehicle Registration

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2115: 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.

SB 2115 amends Tennessee law to expand the criminal offense of adulterating food, liquids, or pharmaceuticals to specifically include cases where the adulteration is intended to cause involuntary intoxication in a user. It directly affects individuals who intentionally add substances to consumable products (like drinks or medications) to render users involuntarily intoxicated, classifying this as a Class D felony. The bill establishes tiered penalties based on the intended harm: Class D for involuntary intoxication, Class C for bodily injury, and Class B for serious injury or death. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all food, beverage, or pharmaceutical products marketed for human consumption or medical use.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new Class D felony for involuntary intoxication offenses, directly contradicting reform indicators like reduced criminalization.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2110: Sentencing - As introduced, makes the offense of sexual battery by an authority figure ineligible for probation. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 2110 removes probation as an option for individuals convicted of sexual battery committed by an authority figure (such as teachers, coaches, or youth workers). The bill amends Tennessee law (TCA § 39-13-527) to require mandatory sentencing for this specific offense, meaning judges cannot grant probation to offenders in these cases. It applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects people convicted of sexual battery by someone in a position of trust or authority. This change modifies sentencing guidelines under Title 40 of Tennessee law to ensure stricter consequences for these offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves probation for sexual battery by authority figures, mandating stricter sentencing instead of rehabilitative options, increasing mandatory penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2014: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires a person convicted of vehicular homicide proximately resulting from the person's intoxication to be punished as no lower than a Range II offender if the person, as a result of the same course of conduct, is also convicted of leaving the scene of the accident. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

HB 2014 amends Tennessee law to increase sentencing for drivers convicted of vehicular homicide due to intoxication who also flee the scene of the accident. If convicted of both offenses under the same incident, the driver must be sentenced as a Range II offender (minimum) for the vehicular homicide charge, per the new Section 39-13-213(b)(2)(H). This applies to cases where a driver causes death while intoxicated and violates §55-10-101 (leaving the scene). The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals convicted of both specific traffic-related offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentencing for intoxication-related vehicular homicide with fleeing, expanding criminalization and raising penalties per TCA 39-13-213(b)(2)(H).95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for vehicular homicide due to intoxication and fleeing scene, enhancing road safety standards per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1982: Sentencing - As introduced, states that there is a rebuttable presumption that a defendant convicted of aggravated assault is not a favorable candidate for probation if the offense involved the use or display of a firearm during the commission of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35.

SB 1982 changes probation eligibility for defendants convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm in Tennessee. It creates a rebuttable presumption that such defendants are not good candidates for probation, meaning courts would start with the assumption they don't qualify unless the defendant provides evidence to the contrary. This applies specifically to aggravated assault cases under Tennessee Code § 39-13-102 where a firearm was used or displayed during the offense. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates rebuttable presumption against probation for aggravated assault with firearm, restricting defendant rights and increasing incarceration likelihood, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing Violent Crime

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 2137: Sentencing - As introduced, requires a defendant to be sentenced to imprisonment for life as a repeat violent offender under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2137 requires Tennessee courts to sentence defendants as "repeat violent offenders" to life imprisonment if they have three or more prior violent convictions committed on or after July 1, 2026. It defines "violent offenses" to include crimes like aggravated rape, murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, and certain child sexual abuse offenses, with at least two prior convictions needing to be from the most severe listed offenses. This law directly affects individuals convicted of new violent crimes who have prior violent felony convictions meeting the specified criteria. The bill amends Tennessee sentencing statutes to implement this mandatory life sentence requirement for qualifying repeat offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life sentences for repeat violent offenders with three prior convictions, expanding mandatory minimums without rehabilitation focus. Directly increases punitive sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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