Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 358: Bail, Bail Bonds - As introduced, requires a court or magistrate to impose global positioning monitoring as a condition of release for a defendant accused of certain offenses, unless the court or magistrate enters written findings that the defendant does not pose a threat to the victim or public safety; requires the administrative office of the courts to compile an annual report of the number of defendants subject to such an order. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40; Title 55; Chapter 969 of the Public Acts of 2024 and Chapter 1033 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 358 requires Tennessee courts to mandate GPS monitoring as a condition of bail for defendants charged with specific offenses - including gun-related crimes, domestic assault, vehicle burglaries, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat offenses - unless the court issues written findings that the defendant poses no threat to victims or public safety. The bill applies to defendants arrested for offenses listed in Section 1(b), such as those involving firearms, serious injury, or domestic violence. Courts must report monthly data on GPS monitoring cases to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which will compile an annual report for legislative committees by July 1 each year. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing bail procedures for other offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates GPS monitoring for high-risk defendants, restricting release conditions without presumption of safety, reducing defendant rights per bill language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 392: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the offense of human smuggling; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 392 creates a new Class E felony offense for "human smuggling" in Tennessee, defined as knowingly transporting 10+ adults or 5+ minors across state lines while concealing them from immigration authorities, with knowledge they entered the U.S. illegally. It also establishes a Class A misdemeanor for harboring undocumented immigrants (a $1,000 fine per person). The law amends Tennessee Code to include human smuggling under "human trafficking offenses" and grants the Attorney General authority to seek court orders dissolving organizations involved in these crimes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony/misdemeanor offenses for human smuggling and harboring undocumented immigrants, expanding criminalization without reform measures. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increased penalties.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates Class E felony for human smuggling and Class A misdemeanor for harboring undocumented immigrants, increasing state-level immigration enforcement penalties.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 184: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class C felony of reckless endangerment involving community terrorism, which is committed against a population within a geographic territory by members of a criminal gang or within 1,000 feet of a school or park; requires the sentencing court to revoke or prohibit the issuance of a driver license to individuals convicted of such offense for a five-year period following conviction. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

HB 184 creates a new Class C felony for reckless endangerment classified as "community terrorism," defined as gang-related acts against populations in a geographic area or within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, or other public spaces like libraries. Convicted individuals face a mandatory 5-year driver's license revocation or prohibition (with limited exceptions for work/medical needs), plus GPS monitoring to enforce geographic restrictions near the crime site. The law applies specifically to offenses committed by criminal gang members or near protected locations, requiring courts to order these penalties alongside sentencing. Reinstatement of a driver's license is only possible after five years, with strict requirements for restricted use and court approval.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony with mandatory 5-year license revocation and GPS monitoring for gang-related acts near schools, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 1086: Driver Licenses - As enacted, creates the Class B misdemeanor offense of operating a motor vehicle in this state with an invalid driver license; designates out-of-state driver licenses issued exclusively to illegal aliens as invalid driver licenses in this state. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50.

SB 1086 creates a Class B misdemeanor for operating a vehicle in Tennessee with an out-of-state driver license deemed "invalid" under the law. It specifically targets licenses issued by other states *exclusively* to undocumented immigrants, defined as those with distinctive markings showing they are not issued to U.S. citizens or legal residents. The bill requires the Tennessee Department of Safety to publish and update a list of such invalid license classes by December 2025. This law directly affects drivers holding these specific out-of-state licenses, making their use for driving a punishable offense starting January 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates Class B misdemeanor for driving with 'invalid' immigrant-issued licenses, expanding criminalization of immigration status via traffic enforcement.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationTargets licenses issued exclusively to undocumented immigrants, making their use a Class B misdemeanor, restricting access to driver's licenses as an immigrant service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1082: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds certain criminal offenses to the list of dangerous felonies for purposes of the offense of possessing a firearm or antique firearm during commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 1082 amends Tennessee law to add 30+ new offenses to the list of "dangerous felonies" that trigger stricter penalties for firearm possession during or after committing those crimes. It directly affects individuals convicted of specific violent or serious crimes like aggravated robbery, rape, human trafficking, meth manufacturing, or aggravated burglary who possess firearms during or attempt such offenses. The key mechanism expands the existing list of dangerous felonies (e.g., adding "aggravated stalking," "trafficking for commercial sex acts," and "meth manufacturing" to the list) so that firearm possession during these crimes becomes a separate offense with enhanced penalties. This bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands dangerous felony list to impose stricter firearm possession penalties during specified crimes, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 1348: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, deletes the exception to the criminal offense of unlawfully carrying a firearm with intent to go armed for persons who lawfully possess a handgun, are in a place where the person is lawfully present, and are at least 21 years old or 18 years old with certain military service. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1348 removes an exception that currently allows certain individuals to carry handguns without a permit in specific locations. It deletes language from Tennessee law that previously exempted people who lawfully possess a handgun and are at least 21 years old (or 18 with military service) from being charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm while in a place they are legally allowed to be. The bill directly affects those who currently rely on this exemption, making it a criminal offense to carry a handgun in such settings without a permit. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves exemption allowing permitless carry for certain handgun owners, expanding criminalization of firearm possession under existing law.95% confidence ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransRemoves firearm carry exemption for military service members, restricting a recognized benefit under Tennessee law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1392: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, deletes the exception to the criminal offense of unlawfully carrying a firearm with intent to go armed for persons who lawfully possess a handgun, are in a place where the person is lawfully present, and are at least 21 years old or 18 years old with certain military service. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 1392 would remove an exception in Tennessee law that currently allows certain individuals to carry a handgun without facing charges for unlawfully carrying a firearm with intent to go armed. Specifically, it deletes the exemption for people who lawfully possess a handgun, are in a place they are lawfully present, and are either 21 years or older or 18 with qualifying military service. After the bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, these individuals would no longer be exempt and could be charged under the general unlawful carrying provision. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 39-17-1307 and 39-17-1313 to eliminate this exception.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves exemption for lawful firearm carry, expanding criminalization under criminal justice laws by enabling charges for previously exempt scenarios.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 685: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law relative to unlawful photography. - Amends TCA Section 39-13-605 and Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.

SB 685 revises Tennessee's laws on unlawful photography, increasing penalties for taking unauthorized photos of others. It upgrades the offense to a felony (Class E, D, or C depending on circumstances) and adds specific aggravating factors, such as when the victim is under 13 years old or when the perpetrator holds a position of trust (e.g., a teacher or coach). The bill also mandates that offenders register as sexual offenders under Tennessee's registry law. These changes apply to acts committed on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for unlawful photography, upgrading to felony offenses and expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 693: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony for a person who commits child abuse by knowingly treating a child between 9 and 17 in such a manner as to inflict injury. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 693 increases penalties for certain child abuse offenses in Tennessee. It upgrades the punishment for knowingly causing injury to a child aged 9-17 from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change directly affects individuals convicted of such abuse, making the offense a felony charge. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 36, 37, 39, and 40 and takes effect July 1, 2025, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for child abuse from misdemeanor to felony, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.90% confidence

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died · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 322: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the offense of human smuggling; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 322 creates a new criminal offense of "human smuggling" under Tennessee law, directly affecting individuals who transport people across borders for financial gain while concealing them from authorities. The bill defines human smuggling as transporting 10+ adults or 5+ minors (knowing they entered the U.S. illegally) to avoid detection by law enforcement, or encouraging such entry. It classifies this as a Class E felony, punishable by up to 6 years in prison, and adds misdemeanor penalties for harboring individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. The law also grants the state attorney general authority to seek court orders dissolving organizations involved in trafficking or smuggling.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for human smuggling, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Human Trafficking

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