Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 1607: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

SB 1607 changes the penalty for assaulting a first responder or law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. It requires a mandatory $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence with no early release for such offenses. The bill also establishes a separate penalty for assaulting a nurse, which would be a Class A misdemeanor with a $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum sentence. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting first responders to felony level with mandatory fines/sentences, expanding criminalization and reducing judicial discretion per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 1642: Public Records - As enacted, deletes expiration dates for certain public record exemptions. - Amends TCA Section 10-7-504.

HB 1642 removes expiration dates for specific public record exemptions in Tennessee law, amending TCA Section 10-7-504. The bill deletes five listed exemptions (including those related to law enforcement records and personnel files) that previously had set end dates. This change makes these exemptions permanent, meaning government agencies no longer need to re-evaluate their applicability after a certain period. The bill directly affects state and local government agencies that manage public records, as it alters how long certain information remains exempt from disclosure requests under the state’s open records law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill makes law enforcement record exemptions permanent, reducing transparency and oversight of law enforcement, which weakens accountability in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1757: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates an offense of recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in close proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place of public gathering or at a public event where there are at least 25 people in attendance at the time of the discharge; punishes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor; specifies certain exceptions to the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 1757 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, water, or an object near people at public gatherings or events with at least 25 attendees. It directly affects individuals who recklessly fire guns in these settings, such as during concerts, sports events, or festivals. Key exceptions include law enforcement officers acting in duty, military personnel, wildlife officers, and situations involving self-defense against animal attacks. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for reckless firearm discharge at public gatherings, expanding criminalization without reform indicators like reduced sentences or enhanced rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1649: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts "Matthew Davenport's Law," which creates certain criminal offenses and testing requirements related to Kratom. - Amends TCA Title 33, Chapter 2; Title 38; Title 39; Title 50; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1649, known as "Matthew Davenport's Law," makes it illegal to possess, manufacture, deliver, or sell Kratom (including synthetic versions) in Tennessee, with penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for possession to a Class B felony for selling to minors. The bill requires medical examiners to test decedents who died of suspected drug overdoses for Kratom, and mandates doctors to include Kratom testing in cases of suspected overdose or neonatal withdrawal symptoms in newborns. It also adds Kratom to the state’s definition of "drug" for regulatory purposes. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting individuals using Kratom, medical professionals, and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of Kratom via new offenses and penalties, increasing legal restrictions without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1900: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for assaulting a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $5,000 and a mandatory minimum of 30 days incarceration to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum of 60 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1900 increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in Tennessee by upgrading the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change mandates a $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence for assaulting police officers or other first responders, compared to the current $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum for assaulting nurses. The bill specifically amends Tennessee law to impose these stricter penalties for assaults on law enforcement, while keeping existing misdemeanor penalties for assaults on nurses. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers or first responders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for assaulting first responders, upgrading to felony with harsher penalties (60-day minimum vs. 30-day), opposing criminal justice reform trends.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 1133: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises provisions of present law relative to placing certain defendants on a fugitives list for failure to appear. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 10; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 49; Title 50; Title 55 and Title 70.

SB 1133 shortens the timeframe for placing defendants on Tennessee's fugitives list after missing a court appearance, reducing it from five days to three days. This directly affects criminal defendants who fail to appear for court dates, accelerating law enforcement's ability to pursue them. The bill specifically amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-16-202(a)(1) to implement this change, impacting how courts handle non-appearances. The law aims to improve efficiency in the criminal justice system by streamlining the fugitives list process.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill reduces defendant's window to address court absence from 5 to 3 days, tightening enforcement and limiting due process rights per TCA 39-16-202(a)(1).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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died · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1273: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, clarifies, for purposes of criminal offenses relative to threats of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity or failing to report such threats, that a threat of mass violence is credible if the threat causes another to reasonably expect the commission of an act of mass violence. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 1273 creates a new felony charge for recklessly threatening mass violence against child care centers, preschools, or religious institutions, and a misdemeanor for failing to report such threats. The law requires immediate reporting of threats to both local law enforcement and the affected institution, with specific details needed in the report. Violators face penalties including up to 6 years in prison for the felony threat and up to 6 months for failing to report. The bill defines "property" to include buildings and grounds of these institutions and mandates restitution for disruption caused by threats.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony/misdemeanor for threats against institutions, increasing criminal penalties and expanding criminalization per indicators.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens school safety by criminalizing threats of mass violence, directly protecting students and educational institutions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 2, 2025

HB 1020: Tort Liability and Reform - As enacted, specifies that a law enforcement officer who causes property damage to or inflicts personal injury upon a person during the course of the law enforcement officer's official duties is immune from civil liability if at the time the damage or injury occurred, the person suffering the injury or damage was engaged in conduct that resulted in the person being convicted of the offense of resisting a stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search of the person. - Amends TCA Title 29 and Title 39.

HB 1020 grants law enforcement officers immunity from civil lawsuits for property damage or personal injury caused during official duties if the injured person was resisting arrest (and later convicted under Tennessee's resisting arrest statute, §39-16-602). This immunity does not apply if the officer acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct, nor does it cover bystanders or others not resisting arrest at the time of the incident. The bill amends Tennessee law (Titles 29 and 39) to change how civil liability is handled for officers’ actions during enforcement. It directly affects individuals who resist arrest and their ability to sue officers, while protecting officers from lawsuits under specific, limited circumstances.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeGrants law enforcement immunity from civil lawsuits for property damage/personal injury during arrests when the injured party was resisting (and convicted), weakening accountability oversight in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SJR 3: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Establishes a definition of antisemitism and encourages departments and agencies of state government to use such definition in determining discriminatory intent for any law or policy in this state that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. -

SJR 3 is a Senate Joint Resolution defining antisemitism and urging state agencies to use this definition when assessing discrimination under Tennessee law. It provides 11 specific examples of antisemitism, including denying the Holocaust, accusing Jews of controlling institutions, or comparing Israeli policy to Nazi actions. The resolution encourages state departments, district attorneys (to seek enhanced sentences for antisemitism-motivated crimes), and schools to consider this definition when evaluating discrimination claims based on religion or national origin. It does not create new laws but serves as a policy statement for state entities. This resolution applies directly to Tennessee state government agencies, schools, and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEncourages district attorneys to seek enhanced sentences for antisemitism-motivated crimes, increasing penalties within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1204: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law concerning driving under the influence. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

HB 1204 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws. It allows law enforcement officers to assist qualified medical practitioners in using reasonable force to obtain blood samples from drivers suspected of DUI, and increases the maximum sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. The blood sample provision takes effect immediately upon enactment, while the sentencing change will take effect on July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects drivers charged with DUI in Tennessee by altering evidence collection procedures and penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases first-time DUI sentence max from 1 year to 18 months, expanding criminalization and harsher penalties per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing

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