Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1928: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, adds "a victim" to the definition of an individual involved in the judicial process for purposes of the criminal offense of harming or threatening to harm an individual involved in the judicial process; makes various other changes regarding victims of crime. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1928 updates Tennessee law to clarify who qualifies as a "victim" in criminal cases. It adds victims and their representatives to court procedures (e.g., allowing a victim’s designated representative to attend proceedings), expands the definition to include entities like insurance companies that compensated victims, and specifies protections for victims in cases involving vehicular homicide or evading arrest that caused injury. This directly affects crime victims seeking legal protections during court proceedings. The bill makes these definitions more explicit to ensure victims’ voices are heard in the judicial process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim protections by clarifying definitions, allowing representatives to attend proceedings, and including entities like insurance companies, directly strengthening victim-centered criminal justice95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1471: Courts - As enacted, removes a conviction for domestic assault from the definition of a violent offender for purposes of drug treatment courts; changes the definition of a violent offender for purposes of drug treatment courts from an offender with a conviction for an offense involving certain acts to an offender with a conviction for a felony offense involving certain acts within the previous 10 years. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 22.

HB 1471 amends Tennessee law to change the definition of a "violent offender" for drug treatment court eligibility. It removes convictions for domestic assault (if not a felony) from being counted as a violent offense, instead requiring a felony conviction for certain acts within the previous 10 years. This change would allow more individuals with non-felony domestic assault convictions to qualify for drug treatment courts. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands drug treatment court eligibility by removing non-felony domestic assault from violent offender definition, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to drug treatment programs (a healthcare service) by removing non-felony domestic assault from violent offender definition, broadening eligibility for treatment courts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1467: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts "The Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act." - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 7 and Title 39.

SB 1467, the "Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act," requires Tennessee district attorneys general to submit a 24-hour report to state and federal officials whenever they make specific decisions about felony cases tied to two federal law enforcement operations: the Memphis Safe Task Force or Operation Viper. The report must be filed if the district attorney enters a plea agreement, reduces charges, dismisses a case, or declines to prosecute. This applies only to cases originating from these operations, which are defined as federal efforts focused on combating violent crime in Memphis through aggressive policing and prosecution. The bill aims to increase transparency around prosecutorial decisions in these specific cases without altering the legal standards for handling them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates 24-hour reporting for DA decisions on felony cases tied to federal task forces, enhancing prosecutorial oversight and accountability per bill's 'Accountability Act' title.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 361: Orders of Protection - As enacted, expands the courts in Shelby County that can hear a petition for an order of protection to include a criminal court when the criminal court is hearing a criminal matter involving a domestic abuse victim, sexual assault victim, or stalking victim; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 18 and Title 36.

HB 361 expands which Tennessee courts can handle protection order petitions for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. It allows criminal courts to issue these orders when they are already hearing the related criminal case, instead of requiring victims to seek separate proceedings in general sessions court. This change applies statewide to courts handling such cases, streamlining the process for victims. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 16-3-601, 18, and 36 to reflect this court jurisdiction update.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands court access for victims of domestic abuse/sexual assault/stalking, streamlining protection orders within existing criminal cases to improve victim safety and system efficiency in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 792: Sexual Offenses - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Sexual Violence Justice Act," making various changes to the requirements for investigating sexual offenses. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 67.

HB 792, the "Tennessee Sexual Violence Justice Act," requires law enforcement officers investigating sexual assault to complete annual trauma-informed, victim-centered training (16 hours minimum) through the POST commission, with curriculum developed in collaboration with victim advocates and healthcare providers. It mandates the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to test all previously untested sexual assault evidence kits by January 2026 (prioritizing ongoing cases) and to test new kits within 90 days of receipt starting July 2025, requiring annual reports on testing timelines. The bill directly affects law enforcement personnel, the TBI, and victims of sexual assault by standardizing investigative practices and evidence processing. Key provisions include mandatory mock assessments for training, specific interview techniques emphasizing victim safety, and DNA profiling protocols for CODIS databases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates trauma-informed officer training and testing of untested evidence kits, advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform in sexual offense investigations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 635: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, removes the killing of another committed in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, certain crimes from the elements of first degree murder; deletes the offense of criminal responsibility for conduct of another; deletes the offense of criminal responsibility for the facilitation of a felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 11; Title 39, Chapter 12; Title 39, Chapter 13; Title 39, Chapter 14; Title 40, Chapter 24; Title 40, Chapter 35 and Title 40, Chapter 39.

SB 635 removes specific legal provisions from Tennessee's criminal code. It deletes the rule that killing during certain crimes (like robbery) automatically qualifies as first-degree murder, and eliminates sections defining criminal responsibility for another person's actions or "facilitation" of felonies. These changes affect how murder charges are classified and defended in court, specifically removing three existing legal elements from the law. The bill does not create new policies but deletes existing provisions in Tennessee Code sections related to murder and criminal responsibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves automatic first-degree murder classification for certain crimes and deletes broad criminal responsibility provisions, reducing mandatory harsh sentencing and aligning with reform efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 944: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires the department of mental health and substance abuse services to establish a mental health evaluation process for a community mental health center or qualified mental health professional to evaluate a defendant convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a court in which a person is convicted of any such offense to order the offender to undergo a mental health evaluation prior to the sentencing hearing. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 944 requires courts to order mental health evaluations for defendants convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, or aggravated cruelty to animals before sentencing. The evaluations must be conducted by community mental health centers or qualified professionals and are intended to inform sentencing decisions. This bill amends Tennessee law (Titles 33, 39, and 40) to establish this process, directly affecting individuals convicted of these specific offenses. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for the underlying crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health evaluations pre-sentencing for specific offenses to inform sentencing, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 1234: Civil Procedure - As introduced, revives causes of action based on a sexual assault that occurred when the injured party was 18 years of age or older and are time-barred because the applicable statute of limitations has expired; allows such actions to be commenced within a certain time period. - Amends TCA Title 28, Chapter 3; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1234 revives civil lawsuits for sexual assault that were previously time-barred under Tennessee law because the statute of limitations expired. It allows survivors who were 18 or older at the time of the assault to file new lawsuits between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2027. The bill defines "sexual assault" to include specific offenses like rape, sexual battery, and incest under Tennessee Code. This provision applies only to cases dismissed before July 1, 2025, due to the time limit, not to new claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRevives civil lawsuits for sexual assault (criminal offense) time-barred under statute, aligning with criminal justice reform by expanding victim access to justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 673: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, enacts the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act." - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 673, the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act," requires judges sentencing defendants for assault offenses to mandate completion of certified batterer's intervention programs (minimum 26 weeks, 3+ hours per session, max 6:1 counselor ratio) or drug/alcohol treatment as part of alternative sentencing. It directly affects individuals convicted of assault who receive alternative sentences, requiring them to complete these programs fully without shortening the term via plea agreements. The bill also adds new requirements for defendants in certain violations to attend violence-focused counseling and mandates 12+ hours yearly domestic violence training for judges and court staff. These provisions take effect July 1, 2025, and do not change assault definitions but alter sentencing conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates batterer's intervention and treatment programs for assault offenders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through structured sentencing requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 920: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that when the victim of a sexually oriented crime is a minor, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for the victim to receive a forensic medical examination. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38 and Title 39.

SB 920 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic medical exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, effective July 1, 2025. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA testing on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with written explanations for delays beyond that timeframe. The bill affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and the Bureau of Investigation by changing payment standards and establishing new timelines for evidence processing. Kits flagged for delay must be analyzed "within a reasonable time thereafter," and the bill clarifies that delays don't affect evidence admissibility. These changes apply to exams performed and kits received on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases compensation for forensic exams and mandates timely DNA testing on sexual assault evidence, improving victim support and evidence processing in criminal justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases compensation for healthcare providers performing forensic exams (from $1k to $2.5k), directly funding a healthcare service for sexual assault victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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