Criminal Justice (Courts)

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 371: Sentencing - As enacted, generally requires a person convicted of a Class A misdemeanor in general sessions court to pay for and complete a cognitive behavioral training course; requires the offender to provide proof of course completion to the court or the court’s designee within the time period specified by the court. - Amends TCA Section 40-35-302.

HB 371 requires individuals convicted of Class A or Class B misdemeanors in Tennessee to complete a behavioral training course as part of their sentencing. Offenders must pay for the course (capped at $100), provide proof of completion to the court within a court-specified timeframe, and face potential jail time (up to 10 days) for failing to comply. The course must be accessible online, offered in multiple languages, include human interaction, and be provided by certified vendors meeting specific standards. This law affects misdemeanor offenders directly and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates cognitive behavioral training for misdemeanor offenders to reduce recidivism, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 585: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires the punishment for the offense of misuse of official information to include at least 30 hours of community service work to be determined by the court, in addition to any other punishment authorized by law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 4.

HB 585 amends Tennessee law to require at least 30 hours of community service for individuals convicted of misusing official information, a Class B misdemeanor offense. This community service, determined by the court, must be added to any other penalties authorized by law. The bill directly affects public servants who misuse their official position or information. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed. The bill does not replace existing penalties but adds this community service requirement as an additional consequence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds 30 hours community service for misuse of official information (Class B misdemeanor), promoting restorative justice without increasing penalties, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1391: Expunction - As introduced, requires a clerk of a court with criminal jurisdiction to automatically remove and destroy all public records of a conviction for a Class E felony or misdemeanor that is eligible for expunction, one year after the person has completed any sentence imposed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 10; Title 18 and Title 40.

HB 1391 automatically removes and destroys public court records for certain criminal convictions one year after sentence completion. It applies to eligible Class E felony and misdemeanor convictions under existing expunction rules, directly affecting individuals with these convictions who have completed their sentences. For cases after July 1, 2025, courts must notify clerks to initiate automatic removal without cost to the person. For pre-July 2025 convictions, individuals must request the process, but clerks cannot destroy records without a court order. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 10, 18, and 40 to implement this change.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates record removal for eligible convictions, reducing barriers to reintegration and advancing criminal justice reform by promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 488: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, lessens, from 90 calendar days to 60 calendar days, the time within which a clerk of court must notify the health facilities commission of a conviction for certain offenses committed against elderly or vulnerable adults for inclusion on the registry of persons who have abused, neglected, misappropriated, or exploited the property of vulnerable individuals. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15.

HB 488 shortens the deadline for clerks of court to notify the Health Facilities Commission about certain convictions. Specifically, it reduces the timeframe from 90 to 60 calendar days after a conviction for offenses against elderly or vulnerable adults. This change applies to cases where the conviction would require inclusion on the registry of individuals who have abused, neglected, or exploited vulnerable individuals. The bill directly affects clerks of court and the registry process, streamlining the reporting timeline without altering the offenses or registry requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens clerk notification deadline from 90 to 60 days for abuse registry inclusion, speeding up accountability for crimes against vulnerable adults, strengthening criminal justice oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 601: Appeal and Review - As enacted, authorizes criminal defendants who plead guilty, best interest, or no contest to also petition for a writ of error coram nobis based on evidence that was, through no fault of the defendant, unknown to the defendant at the time of the plea. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 601 allows criminal defendants in Tennessee who pleaded guilty, "best interest," or no contest to later petition for a new trial based on new evidence that was unknown to them at the time of their plea, through no fault of their own. The law creates a specific court process: defendants file a verified petition with no fee, and if the court finds the claim has merit, a hearing is scheduled where the defendant must prove the new evidence establishes actual innocence. If proven, the court vacates the conviction and orders a new trial; if not, the petition is dismissed. This law applies to all convictions regardless of trial type (jury or plea) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to petition for new trials based on newly discovered evidence proving innocence, strengthening defendant rights and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 538: Disabled Persons - As introduced, enacts the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 52.

SB 538, the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act," creates new protections for autistic young adults (ages 18-25) under court-appointed conservatorship. It makes it a Class A misdemeanor to use online platforms to groom, sextort, or sexually exploit this group - defined as building trust to commit abuse. The law requires online platforms to implement policies preventing such exploitation and gives conservators/families tools to monitor online safety. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal penalties (Class A misdemeanor) for online exploitation of autistic young adults, protecting vulnerable populations and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires online platforms to implement abuse prevention policies, strengthening data privacy protections for vulnerable users under TCA regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Online Safety Telecommunications

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 77: Juvenile Offenders - As introduced, requires a juvenile 16 years of age or older accused of a delinquent act to be transferred from juvenile court to criminal court to be tried as an adult if the juvenile has a prior adjudication of delinquency for any offense and the juvenile court finds probable cause to believe the juvenile committed the delinquent act. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Chapter 1007 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 77 would require Tennessee juvenile courts to automatically transfer 16-year-olds or older accused of a delinquent act to criminal court for adult trial if they have a prior delinquency adjudication and the court finds probable cause. This applies specifically to juveniles meeting all three conditions: age 16+, prior delinquency record, and probable cause for the current offense. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 37-1-134 and 37-1-159 to establish this transfer process, while excluding juveniles deemed developmentally disabled or mentally ill. The law would take effect July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic transfer of juveniles to adult court, increasing criminalization and reducing rehabilitative options for youth with prior offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 1203: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, exempts an applicant seeking to restore the applicant's rights of citizenship from having to pay for the cost of the application if a court orders otherwise. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 8; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1203 is a procedural bill that changes how fees are handled for individuals seeking to restore citizenship rights after legal issues. It amends Tennessee law to allow courts to waive application fees for these applicants if a court orders it, rather than requiring payment by default. This directly affects people with past convictions or legal troubles who are applying to regain voting rights or other citizenship privileges. The bill does not alter the eligibility requirements for restoring rights, only the fee payment process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives application fees for restoring citizenship rights, easing reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 521: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, creates a law enforcement investigatory privilege; prohibits a subpoena from being issued for a civil or criminal proceeding for information protected by the law enforcement privilege. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 1, Part 2 and Title 40, Chapter 17, Part 1.

SB 521 creates a new "law enforcement investigatory privilege" in Tennessee, protecting certain information gathered during active criminal investigations. It prohibits civil or criminal court subpoenas from demanding details covered by this privilege (such as evidence or witness statements) while an investigation is ongoing. The privilege applies until the case closes through dismissal, acquittal, or expiration of appeal deadlines. This directly affects law enforcement agencies (who gain protection for their investigative materials) and individuals or entities seeking such information through court subpoenas. The bill does not override constitutional rights or change standard subpoena procedures for law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates law enforcement privilege shielding investigatory details from subpoenas, reducing judicial oversight during active cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 96: Attorney General and Reporter - As enacted, authorizes the attorney general and reporter to conduct an investigation and initiate criminal prosecution of a judicial elected official or district attorney general whenever the attorney general and reporter has probable cause to investigate whether an official may have violated any state criminal law and either a decision to prosecute the official by the district attorney general may result in a personal, financial, or political conflict of interest or the attorney general and reporter receives a report of a violation of the prohibition on nepotism within state government entities. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 6.

HB 96 authorizes Tennessee's Attorney General and Reporter to investigate and prosecute judges, court officials, or district attorneys when local prosecutors might face a conflict of interest. It specifically applies if there's evidence a judicial official may have broken state criminal law or if a nepotism violation is reported. The law creates a direct pathway for the Attorney General to handle these cases instead of relying on local prosecutors who cannot act impartially. This changes Tennessee's process for addressing potential criminal conduct by judicial officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes AG to prosecute judicial officials with conflicts of interest, enhancing impartial oversight in criminal cases and preventing biased local prosecutions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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