Criminal Justice

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 1840: Statutes of Limitations and Repose - As enacted, requires prosecution for vehicular homicide committed on or after July 1, 2026, to commence within 10 years from the date the offense occurs. - Amends TCA Title 28; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1840, known as "Quinton's Law," extends the statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in Tennessee under specific conditions. It adds a three-year deadline for filing such claims if criminal charges are filed within two years by law enforcement, a district attorney, or a grand jury related to the same incident. This change directly affects families seeking civil remedies when criminal proceedings are active for the death. The law applies to causes of action accruing on or after July 1, 2026, and modifies existing time limits for other civil actions in Titles 28, 39, and 40 of Tennessee Code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends civil remedies for wrongful death victims during active criminal proceedings, aligning with victim rights protection in criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 1659: Sentencing - As enacted, adds aggravating circumstances for a jury to consider when determining the sentence of a defendant convicted of certain offenses. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1659 amends Tennessee sentencing laws to add 12 new aggravating factors that juries must consider when sentencing defendants convicted of rape of a child or aggravated rape of a child. Key provisions include factors like the defendant being in a position of trust (e.g., teacher or caregiver), prior convictions involving minors, filming the crime, using substances to influence the victim, or the offense being especially heinous. The bill directly affects defendants in these specific child sexual assault cases by making certain circumstances mandatory for sentencing consideration. It also removes a prior mitigating factor (victim participation/consent) that applied to child rape cases and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds aggravating factors for child sex offenses, leading to harsher sentences. Increases severity of punishment, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1677: Evidence - As introduced, prohibits a court from excluding evidence against a criminal defendant unless the evidence was obtained by deliberate, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct or recurring or systemic negligence that violated the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and refusal to suppress the evidence would contradict a clearly established holding of the United States supreme court; establishes an immediate interlocutory appeal to the Tennessee supreme court when a court grants a motion to suppress evidence. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 1677 changes Tennessee's rules for excluding evidence in criminal cases. It limits exclusion to situations where evidence was obtained through deliberate, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct violating constitutional rights, and where refusing to exclude it would contradict a clear U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The bill also creates an immediate appeal process for prosecutors when a judge suppresses evidence, requiring the Tennessee Supreme Court to expedite such cases. This directly affects criminal defendants (who may lose evidence challenges) and prosecutors (who gain faster appeals). The law aligns Tennessee's exclusionary rule strictly with federal standards, preventing state courts from creating stricter rules.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts evidence suppression to only severe constitutional violations, reducing defendant rights and weakening judicial oversight of law enforcement evidence collection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1754: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, removes the requirement for a petitioner for restoration of citizenship or an applicant for a certificate of employability to pay the costs of the proceedings; makes other changes to the process for restoration of citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

SB 1754 removes court fees for individuals applying to restore citizenship rights or obtain a certificate of employability in Tennessee. It eliminates the requirement for petitioners to pay costs associated with these proceedings under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-29-103 and 40-29-107. The bill directly affects people seeking to regain citizenship rights after legal restrictions or those needing employment verification certificates. Key changes include deleting cost-related language in the statutes and specifying "no cost" for applicants. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves court fees for citizenship restoration and employability certificates, reducing financial barriers to reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves court fees for citizenship restoration and employability certificates, reducing financial barriers for immigrants seeking rights/services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Citizenship & Naturalization Work Authorization

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1829: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, prohibits a person who is convicted of a felony from running for public office, regardless of whether the person receives a presidential pardon; prohibits a public employee from receiving retirement benefits from the Tennessee consolidated retirement system, any superseded retirement system, or any other public pension system, if such employee or official is convicted of a felony. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 8; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1829 prohibits individuals convicted of a felony from running for public office in Tennessee, even if they receive a presidential pardon. It also bars public employees or officials convicted of a felony from receiving retirement benefits from any state pension system. The bill removes exceptions that previously allowed eligibility for office or retirement benefits if a felony was unrelated to official duties or if a pardon was granted. These changes apply to felony convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits felons from public office/retirement benefits, restricting rights and removing pardon exceptions - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of reducing defendant rights.92% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2095: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the amount of marijuana that may be possessed, from one-half ounce to five ounces, for it to be considered a small amount of marijuana and punishable as a Class A misdemeanor; revises penalty to make it punishable by a $500 fine for a first offense and a $1,000 fine for a second or subsequent offense. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17.

SB 2095 increases Tennessee's legal possession limit for marijuana from one-half ounce to five ounces, meaning possession within this new range remains a misdemeanor offense. It sets a $500 fine for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses, replacing the previous penalties. The bill directly affects individuals possessing between 0.5 and 5 ounces of marijuana, adjusting both the legal threshold and financial penalties. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and amend Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-17-417 and 39-17-418.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases legal marijuana possession limit and reduces penalties, aligning with criminal justice reform by decriminalizing minor offenses and reducing over-policing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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 · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2039: District Attorneys - As enacted, eliminates the fraud and economic crimes fees and assessments in criminal prosecutions for counties that have enacted a $12.50 court cost to be used for supplemental funding for the district attorney general's office; requires existing funds in fraud and economic crimes prosecution fund to be remitted back to the county government of original assessment and collection. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 3.

SB 2039 eliminates fraud and economic crimes fees in Tennessee counties that have implemented a $12.50 court cost. These counties will no longer collect those fees, and any existing funds in the fraud prosecution fund must be returned to the county government. The bill requires district attorneys to hold these funds until the $12.50 court cost funds equal the fraud fund balance, at which point the full amount reverts to the county. This directly affects counties using the $12.50 fee and district attorney offices managing related funds.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDefunds fraud prosecution fund by redirecting fees to counties, reducing DA funding for economic crimes cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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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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failed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1958: Remedies and Special Proceedings - As enacted, removes the right of a cause of action for any affected person who seeks declaratory and injunctive relief in any action brought regarding the legality or constitutionality of a state governmental action; authorizes such an action against a political subdivision of this state; does not limit any other cause of action or waiver of sovereign immunity to vindicate rights under the Tennessee Constitution or the United States Constitution. - Amends TCA Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 49.

SB 1958 removes the right for individuals to seek court orders (declaratory or injunctive relief) challenging the constitutionality or legality of state government actions, including state statutes. It directly affects people or groups trying to legally challenge state laws or actions in court. The bill preserves Tennessee’s sovereign immunity (meaning the state cannot be sued) and creates a limited exception only for challenges against *local* governments (like cities or counties), but still prohibits lawsuits seeking damages or challenging state laws. It amends specific Tennessee Code sections to clarify these restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves right to challenge state law constitutionality, restricting defendant rights and legal avenues for criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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