Criminal Justice (Civil Rights)

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 937: Election Laws - As introduced, establishes automatic restoration of voting rights for people who complete their sentence, including any parole or probationary period. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 937 automatically restores voting rights for Tennessee residents who complete all parts of their sentence, including parole or probation, for certain convictions. It directly affects people previously convicted of "infamous crimes" (as defined by Tennessee law) who have finished their sentences. The bill eliminates the need for court petitions by requiring election officials to restore voting rights upon receipt of a "certificate of final discharge" from supervision. It also creates new systems for election officials to track suspended registrations and automatically update voter eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically restores voting rights post-sentence for formerly incarcerated individuals, advancing reintegration and criminal justice reform by eliminating barriers to civic participation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1053: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, allows certain persons deprived of the right of suffrage to apply for a voter registration card and have the right of suffrage provisionally restored if the person enters into a payment plan to become current on all child support obligations. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

HB 1053 would allow people in Tennessee who lost voting rights due to unpaid child support to temporarily regain voting rights by entering a payment plan for outstanding child support debts. It replaces a rule requiring full payment of all child support with a new option for provisional voting rights restoration through a court-approved payment plan. If someone fails to follow the payment plan, a court must provide legal counsel and allow them to present evidence of financial hardship before revoking voting rights. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to new voter registration applications after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for individuals with unpaid child support via payment plans, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and protecting civil rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 449: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, restores the right of suffrage for persons convicted of an infamous crime after expiration of the sentence imposed for the infamous crime; removes requirement that the person pay restitution and court costs and be current in all child support obligations before having the person's right of suffrage restored; permits a person to have the right of suffrage restored without having the person's full rights of citizenship restored. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

HB 449 would restore voting rights for Tennesseans convicted of an "infamous crime" (serious offenses like murder or rape) once their sentence ends, without requiring them to pay fines, restitution, or child support first. Currently, people with such convictions must clear all financial obligations and have their full citizenship rights restored to vote again. The bill changes eligibility rules to allow voting simply after sentence completion, verified through a certificate from prison or parole officials. It also updates voter registration forms to ask about sentence completion instead of full citizenship restoration. This affects people convicted of infamous crimes in Tennessee or other states who have finished their sentences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for felons post-sentence without financial barriers, promoting reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform aligned with indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 616: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, restores the right of suffrage for persons convicted of an infamous crime after expiration of the sentence imposed for the infamous crime; removes requirement that the person pay restitution and court costs and be current in all child support obligations before having the person's right of suffrage restored; permits a person to have the right of suffrage restored without having the person's full rights of citizenship restored. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

HB 616 would restore voting rights in Tennessee for people convicted of "infamous crimes" once their sentence (including incarceration, probation, or parole) ends. It removes the current requirements that individuals must pay all restitution, court costs, or be current on child support obligations before regaining voting rights. The bill clarifies that voting rights restoration does not automatically restore all citizenship rights (like jury service or holding office). This directly affects Tennesseans with past convictions for crimes classified as "infamous" under state law, allowing them to vote after serving their sentence without financial or child support hurdles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated without financial barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reintegration and civil rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1211: Election Laws - As introduced, establishes automatic restoration of voting rights for people who complete their sentence, including any parole or probationary period. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1211 automatically restores voting rights to Tennessee residents who complete their felony sentences, including parole or probation, without requiring a court order. It directly affects people with felony convictions who have finished all court-imposed terms. The bill replaces the previous requirement for a court to restore rights with a system where a "certificate of final discharge" from supervision triggers automatic eligibility. Election officials must track suspended registrations and update voter rolls when eligibility is confirmed, using standardized forms for courts and the Department of Correction. This changes how Tennessee handles voting rights for returning citizens after sentence completion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically restores voting rights for felony completers, advancing reintegration and civil rights - key criminal justice reform goals that reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Probation & Parole Tags Elections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1119: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, allows certain persons deprived of the right of suffrage to apply for a voter registration card and have the right of suffrage provisionally restored if the person enters into a payment plan to become current on all child support obligations. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

This bill allows Tennessee residents who owe unpaid child support to apply for voter registration by entering a payment plan to catch up on those debts, rather than requiring full payment upfront to regain voting rights. It provides for provisional restoration of voting rights upon entering a payment plan, with courts able to revoke this provision if the plan is not followed - after offering court-appointed counsel and a hearing to address financial hardship. The law, effective July 1, 2025, applies to new voter registration applications and requires the Secretary of State to develop implementing rules with the Department of Human Services and courts. It directly affects individuals with outstanding child support obligations who seek to vote in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights via payment plan for child support debt, a key criminal justice reform measure aligning with reducing barriers to civic participation for affected individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 1181: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, lowers from 20 days to 15 days the notice of a hearing on a petition for restoration of rights of citizenship that must be given to the district attorney general of the county in which the petitioner currently resides and the district attorney general of the county in which the petitioner was convicted in order that, if deemed advisable, each may resist. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1181 shortens the notice period required for hearings on petitions to restore citizenship rights (like voting rights after a conviction) from 20 to 15 days. It directly affects individuals petitioning for restored rights and two specific district attorneys: the one in the petitioner’s current county and the one in the county where the conviction occurred. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 40-29-103 to require this reduced 15-day notice period, allowing prosecutors more time to review and potentially oppose petitions if they choose. This is a procedural change to the notice requirement, not a policy shift on eligibility for rights restoration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens notice period for restoring voting rights (post-conviction), easing reintegration process and aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 1031: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, creates an exception to the requirement that a petitioner pay the costs of a petition to restore the person's citizenship rights if the court finds that the petitioner is indigent. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1031 would amend Tennessee law to require courts to waive the costs of filing a petition to restore a person's citizenship rights for individuals determined to be indigent. Currently, petitioners must pay these costs unless the court finds them indigent, but the bill makes this exception automatic by stating costs must be waived upon a finding of indigence. This directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking to regain civil rights (such as voting eligibility) who cannot afford court fees. The key provision removes the upfront payment requirement for indigent petitioners without altering eligibility for rights restoration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill waives court costs for indigent petitioners seeking restored citizenship rights (e.g., voting), directly advancing civil rights restoration in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 336: Election Laws - As enacted, revises present law that prohibits a person convicted of an infamous crime after May 18, 1981, from being eligible to have the right to vote restored unless the person meets certain requirements, including having been compliant with all child support orders for the previous 12 months, including orders related to child support arrearages. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

SB 336 changes Tennessee's voting rights laws by removing permanent voting bans for people convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or voter fraud. It updates the child support requirement from "being current in all obligations" to "compliant with all current child support orders" (allowing those with past arrears to regain voting rights). The bill also adds a 3-year waiting period after sentence completion for those convicted of the specified crimes before they can petition to restore voting rights. This directly affects individuals with these specific convictions who were previously barred from voting indefinitely.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for certain convicted individuals, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform principles by easing eligibility requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 445: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, revises the procedure for restoration of rights of citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 445 updates Tennessee's process for restoring voting rights after felony convictions. It replaces vague language about "restoring citizenship rights" with specific requirements that voting rights must be restored "as prescribed by law" for each felony conviction. The bill explicitly bans voting rights restoration for certain serious offenses, including first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, and voter fraud (with expanded restrictions for some crimes after 2006). This affects individuals with felony convictions who previously had their voting rights restored through court orders or pardons. The law became effective on May 13, 2025, after becoming Public Chapter 298.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts voting rights restoration for serious offenses like murder/rape, limiting post-conviction rights instead of advancing reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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