SB 2571 allows Tennessee residents with a qualifying medical condition to legally possess cannabis obtained directly from a licensed physician. It criminalizes unauthorized possession: possessing ≤1 ounce is a Class A misdemeanor with a $100 fine max or 10 hours community service (no jail), while larger amounts face escalating fines and potential jail time (up to 6 months for repeat offenses over 1 ounce). The bill specifically targets non-medical cannabis use, setting penalties based on quantity without jail for small amounts. It directly affects residents seeking medical cannabis access versus those using cannabis without a physician's authorization.
SB 2215, the "PEEPS Act," requires Tennessee police and government entities to obtain a search warrant (not a subpoena) before accessing historical location data (more than 24 hours old) in databases, with limited exceptions like vehicle theft reports or traffic enforcement. It prohibits selling or sharing such data with private third parties, mandates data destruction within 2-7 days (or preservation if requested by a criminal defendant), and requires encryption, access logs, and written security policies. This law directly affects police departments, municipal governments, and any agency collecting location data from sources like license plate readers or cell towers, aiming to limit unwarranted surveillance under the Fourth Amendment.
SB 2097 requires Tennessee's secretary of state to place a specific ballot question on the November 2026 general election ballot asking voters whether the state should legalize medical cannabis sales, possession, and use. This directly affects all Tennessee voters who will cast a yes/no vote on the issue. The bill mandates that county election commissions include the question in the standard ballot format with clear "YES" or "NO" options. Results of this non-binding vote will be reported to the state legislature but will not automatically change state law.
HB 1954 would allow healthcare providers working with correctional facilities to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, expanding current rules. It specifically modifies Tennessee law to include providers subcontracted through healthcare vendors contracted with the Department of Correction or county/municipal jails, provided other specified criteria are met. The bill amends Sections 53-11-311 and 63 of Tennessee Code to enable this expanded access within correctional healthcare settings. The bill is currently in committee review (as of February 2026) and has not yet become law. It directly affects correctional healthcare providers and incarcerated individuals receiving opioid treatment in Tennessee facilities.
SB 1868 defines a new category called "child in need of heightened supervision" for children who exhibit or threaten violent behavior consistent with specific offenses (like assault), regardless of formal charges or prior adjudication. This bill directly affects children who display violent conduct in schools or communities, expanding when authorities can detain or commit them to residential care. Key provisions include updating detention criteria to include this new category, requiring notification to children about assault consequences in residential facilities, and adding a six-month extension to indefinite custody if a child assaults staff. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee’s child welfare laws to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 1820 requires any person elected or appointed as a Tennessee constable on or after August 1, 2030, to graduate from a Tennessee POST-approved law enforcement training academy. This requirement does not apply to individuals who have already served one full term as constable and are re-elected to the position after that date. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 8-10-102(a)(1)(F) and related titles to establish this training standard for new constables. It directly affects future constable candidates in Tennessee, excluding re-elected incumbents with prior service. The law takes effect upon becoming law.
SB 1954 revises Tennessee's law for the crime of continuous sexual abuse of a child. It requires that a defendant must have committed three or more incidents of sexual abuse against one or more minor children on separate occasions. At least one incident must have occurred within the county where the charge is filed, and at least one incident must have occurred on or after July 1, 2026. The abuse must also have taken place over a period of at least 30 days, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2026, for acts committed on or after that date.
HB 2033, as introduced, would require Tennessee courts to mandate community service hours for most convicted individuals starting July 1, 2026. Felony convicts (excluding those sentenced to death, life without parole, or 100% prison time) would need to complete 80 hours, while misdemeanor convicts (excluding traffic offenses or fines-only cases) would need 40 hours. The service must be performed through approved organizations or programs, documented in writing, and verified by the court before probation or parole release. This bill would directly affect people convicted of non-exempt criminal offenses in Tennessee, adding a mandatory community service component to sentencing.
HB 1832 modifies Tennessee's driver license rules to allow certain individuals to obtain a for-hire endorsement for Class D vehicles without meeting the standard two-year unrestricted driving requirement. It directly affects people who have completed incarceration for a conviction, currently hold a restricted license due to unpaid fines/court costs, and are making payments under a court-ordered plan. The key provision waives the driving experience requirement for these applicants, enabling them to qualify for the endorsement while ensuring they meet other standard criteria like age and vehicle ownership rules. This change aims to provide a pathway for reentry into commercial driving for a specific group facing barriers due to past legal issues and financial obligations.
HB 1931 prevents county legislative bodies in Tennessee counties with charters from reducing a sheriff's budget below the previous year's level for personnel, benefits, or essential operations without the sheriff's written approval. It gives sheriffs the authority to approve or reject budget amendments that would cut these areas, and allows county legislatures to override a sheriff's disapproval with a two-thirds vote. The bill directly affects sheriffs and county lawmakers in charter counties, specifically protecting budget allocations for core sheriff duties. Key provisions include requiring written sheriff consent for cuts and establishing a formal override process for budget disputes. (HB 1931, Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5, Chapters 1, 9, and 8)
