HB 1861 modifies Tennessee's probation rules for felony offenders who violate probation by committing a drug offense. For a first-time violation involving a drug offense, the bill requires judges to order substance abuse treatment instead of revoking probation and suspension of sentence. The law applies when a judge finds by "more likely than not" evidence that the violation occurred. This change aims to prioritize treatment over punishment for initial drug-related probation breaches.
SB 1686 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create a performance-based contracting program for entities operating state prison facilities. It ties 25% of each contractor's annual funding to yearly improvements on specific, measurable outcomes - including staff turnover rates, inmate safety metrics (like preventable deaths and sexual violence incidents), participation in rehabilitation programs, and post-release employment. Contractors must meet these targets to receive the full 25% payment; otherwise, the funds revert to the state general fund. The program must be implemented within six months, with quarterly audits by the comptroller to verify compliance and public reporting of results.
SB 1933 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to provide inmate records to any state legislator upon written request. Legislators must specify the inmate's name and sign a confidentiality agreement before reviewing records, which must remain in the department's possession during the review. The bill enables legislators to check whether correction laws are being followed for inmates in custody. It does not change existing laws but creates a process for legislative oversight of correctional compliance.
SB 1759 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to permanently retain a copy of each inmate's officially verified risk and needs assessment for the entire duration of their incarceration. This applies to all inmates under the department's supervision, mandating that these assessments be kept on file without expiration. The bill amends Tennessee law (Title 41) to establish this record-keeping requirement, ensuring consistent access to assessment data throughout an inmate's time in custody. It does not change assessment criteria, inmate programs, or release procedures - only the retention of existing assessment records.
SB 1614 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments, courts, and corrections) to share specific criminal justice data - including personal details like race, age, and arrest records - with approved researchers. The bill mandates sharing data on stops, arrests, sentencing, and corrections programs, but only to researchers who meet strict criteria (e.g., institutional review board approval and security protocols to protect privacy). Agencies cannot charge more than actual costs for data access, and this sharing does not count as public disclosure under existing laws. The law takes effect in 2026, with agencies required to implement it by 2027.
HB 1551 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to coordinate with the Department of Safety to provide driver licenses to inmates discharged after serving felony sentences who had a valid license before incarceration and plan to live in Tennessee. It automatically extends the expiration date of an inmate's driver license by six months if it expired during incarceration or within six months after release. The bill clarifies that a license expired solely due to incarceration is considered "in good standing," and inmates without valid licenses may receive a photo ID license instead. This policy directly affects released felons who held valid licenses prior to imprisonment.
HB 2023 increases the victims assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to criminal offenses in Tennessee courts. The first $15 of the fee goes to the court clerk for processing costs, while the remaining $110 is directed to county-designated victim assistance programs. This change applies to all criminal cases where a defendant enters a guilty plea, is found guilty, enters a nolo contendere plea, or is found criminally responsible for qualifying offenses. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-24-109, to implement this funding shift without altering eligibility for victim services.
HB 1938 prohibits Tennessee state agencies and local governments (counties, cities, or metropolitan governments) from entering new contracts or renewing existing contracts for private prisons. It directly affects entities currently using private facilities to house inmates under the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction or local governments. The bill amends Tennessee law to ban all new or renewed agreements for correctional services or facilities for these inmates, effective upon enactment. This bill is currently pending in the State & Local Government Committee after being introduced in early 2026.
SB 1717 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly violate a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole conditions following a conviction for a domestic abuse offense. It directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse crimes who break court-ordered no contact restrictions with the alleged victim. The bill amends Tennessee law to expand the scope of violations to include post-conviction orders (not just pre-trial) and clarifies that violations apply when the alleged victim is defined as a domestic abuse victim under state law. This change takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 1547 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments and courts) to share specific criminal justice data with qualified researchers. This includes personal details, demographic information, and records about stops, arrests, sentencing, and supervision programs. To qualify, researchers must have institutional review board approval, agree to use data only for research, and maintain strict security protocols to protect sensitive information. The bill does not make data publicly available but creates a formal process for researchers to access it for studies aimed at improving criminal justice outcomes. Agencies must comply by January 2027, though they may charge reasonable fees for data retrieval.
