Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2492: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, prohibits governmental entities from preventing certain persons from entering correctional institutions used to house aliens for the purpose of conducting oversight. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 6; Title 4, Chapter 4; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2492 prohibits Tennessee governmental entities and prison contractors from blocking certain officials from entering correctional facilities housing non-U.S. citizens (referred to as "aliens" in the bill) to conduct oversight. It specifically prevents restrictions on U.S. Congress members, their staff, and Tennessee state legislators or their staff visiting these facilities. The law also bans altering facility conditions during such visits to ensure unobstructed oversight. Exceptions apply during emergencies like riots, disease outbreaks, or active threats. This bill directly affects oversight access at facilities detaining immigrant detainees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates oversight access to correctional facilities housing non-U.S. citizens, promoting transparency and accountability in corrections, a core criminal justice reform principle.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2372: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, specifies that a jailer's authorization to evaluate a person confined in the county jail for purposes of the person's care includes evaluating the person's need for medical attention. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8, Chapter 8; Title 29; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 2372 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include evaluating a person's need for medical attention as part of a jailer's responsibility for their care while confined in a county jail. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated §41-4-103(b) to clarify that jailers may assess confined individuals for medical needs during routine care evaluations. This change directly affects jailers who manage county jails and the people held in those facilities. The law specifies that medical evaluation is now a defined part of the jailer's care duties, not an additional requirement. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies jailers must assess medical needs during care evaluations, promoting humane custody standards in corrections per amended TCA §41-4-103(b).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 2549: Opioids - As enacted, adds that a healthcare provider who subcontracts through the contracted healthcare vendor with the department of correction may prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder if other certain listed criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

SB 2549 allows healthcare providers who subcontract through contracted vendors with Tennessee's Department of Correction (or county/municipal jails) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, provided specific criteria are met. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 53-11-311 and related provisions to enable this practice in correctional healthcare settings. It directly affects medical staff working within prison or jail healthcare systems by expanding their ability to use buprenorphine - a medication for opioid addiction - under defined conditions. The law would take effect upon enactment, modifying how opioid treatment is delivered in state correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through expanded medical care in prisons.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, improving patient access to evidence-based care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

died · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2033: Sentencing - As introduced, requires a sentencing court to order every convicted person to perform a certain number of community service hours in addition to any other punishment imposed for the criminal violation. - Amends TCA Title 40.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates community service as rehabilitative sentencing alternative, reducing incarceration and aligning with reform goals like recidivism reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1832: Driver Licenses - As introduced, authorizes the department of safety to issue a for-hire endorsement to operate a Class D vehicle to an applicant who would otherwise qualify for a for-hire endorsement but for the requirement of at least two years of unrestricted driving prior to the date of application if the applicant has completed a sentence of incarceration after conviction for an offense and currently has a restricted license for unpaid fines and court costs and is making payments in accordance with a payment plan. - Amends TCA Title 55.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes employment barrier for formerly incarcerated individuals by waiving driving requirement, promoting reentry and reducing recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole Tags Licensing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1523: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the inmate disciplinary oversight board to June 30, 2028. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10.

SB 1523 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board to June 30, 2028. This board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates in state correctional facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10) to update the board's sunset date. The extension ensures continued oversight of inmate discipline processes without altering the board's existing responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends oversight board for inmate disciplinary reviews, maintaining accountability in corrections without altering responsibilities, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

died · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1996: Controlled Substances - As introduced, permits a person to possess cannabis that was obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician; specifies the sentences permitted for possessing certain amounts of cannabis that was not obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.

HB 1996 modifies Tennessee's cannabis possession laws by creating a medical exception and establishing tiered penalties for non-medical use. It permits possession only if cannabis was obtained directly from a licensed physician for a qualifying medical condition (as defined in TCA §68-7-101). For non-medical possession, it sets fines up to $100 for 1 ounce or less (with no jail time), and increases penalties for larger amounts or repeat offenses - up to $2,500 fines and 6 months in jail for third offenses of more than 1 ounce. The bill directly affects Tennessee residents who possess cannabis, distinguishing between medical use and non-compliant possession.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces penalties for minor cannabis possession (no jail for ≤1oz) and creates medical exemption, decreasing criminalization of low-level offenses per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables medical cannabis access through licensed physician diagnosis, expanding patient treatment options for qualifying conditions under healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 1839: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, prohibits the department from removing a state inmate from a local jail facility for the purpose of relocating the inmate to a state facility if the inmate is participating in a work release or re-entry program unless the inmate has failed to meet the work release or in-house duty requirements, or the inmate's disciplinary records warrant the inmate's removal from participation in the work release or re-entry program. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1839 prevents Tennessee's Department of Correction from moving inmates from local jails to state facilities if they're in work release or re-entry programs. The bill specifically prohibits relocation unless an inmate fails to meet program requirements or has disciplinary issues that warrant removal. This directly affects inmates participating in these community-based programs, ensuring they can continue their supervision in local jails without unnecessary transfer. The law amends Tennessee statutes to enforce this restriction, focusing on maintaining program stability for eligible participants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents unnecessary inmate transfers from local jails to state facilities, preserving work release/re-entry program participation to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1790: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, authorizes the department to adopt or amend a formulary for use in the correctional facilities operated by or on behalf of the department. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 41; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1790 requires insurers covering inmates in Tennessee to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids in their preferred drug lists (PDLs), meaning non-opioid options cannot be disadvantaged in coverage or cost-sharing. It directly affects insurers offering policies that cover incarcerated individuals, including TennCare and private health plans. The law mandates that non-opioid medications (approved by the FDA for pain management) must have equal coverage treatment relative to opioids on the PDL, without prohibiting insurers from favoring one opioid over another. The bill applies to all such medications approved by the FDA for nine months or longer and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates equal coverage for FDA-approved non-opioid pain meds in correctional settings, promoting rehabilitation and reducing opioid dependency among inmates, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain meds equally with opioids in coverage, improving patient access to safer alternatives and reducing opioid reliance per healthcare policy goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1581: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the inmate disciplinary oversight board to June 30, 2028. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10.

HB 1581 extends the existence of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board until June 30, 2028, by amending state code sections related to the board's authority. This bill directly affects inmates in Tennessee correctional facilities and the state's prison system, as the board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates. The key change is a simple extension of the board's operational period, maintaining existing oversight without altering its structure or responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends inmate disciplinary oversight board, maintaining existing accountability mechanisms without changes to structure or responsibilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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