Criminal Justice

signed · Tennessee · House May 14, 2026

HB 555: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases from a Class E felony to a Class D felony the offense of burglary of a conveyance. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 555 changes Tennessee's burglary law by reclassifying the offense of burglarizing a vehicle (such as a car or truck) from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. This adjustment directly affects individuals convicted of this specific type of burglary, resulting in a less severe criminal classification. The bill also updates related legal references in Tennessee Code to align with this change. It will take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases burglary of conveyance classification from Class E to Class D felony, making punishment more severe, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increasing sentencing severity.90% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 478: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, specifies that a person does not commit an offense if the person possesses or carries a firearm into an area that is posted if, upon the request of an individual authorized to control access to the property, the person immediately leaves the property or stores the firearm in a personal vehicle in accordance with state law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 478 clarifies that a person does not commit a crime if they carry a firearm into an area where firearms are prohibited (e.g., posted private property) and either immediately leaves upon request by the property owner or stores the firearm in their vehicle as required by state law (TCA § 39-17-1313). The bill directly affects individuals carrying firearms on private property where guns are banned, such as businesses or events with posted restrictions. It modifies existing law (TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13) to explicitly exempt compliant behavior from criminal liability. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing firearm possession laws or create new restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill limits criminal liability for firearm possession on private property by creating exceptions, reducing law enforcement's ability to prosecute under TCA § 39-17-1313.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 599: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly giving, selling, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring a firearm to a person when the transferor knows or reasonably should know that the person receiving the firearm is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 599 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly give, sell, lend, deliver, or transfer a firearm to someone prohibited from buying or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. This applies when the transferor knows or should reasonably know the recipient is prohibited, such as someone with a felony conviction or active restraining order. Violations carry penalties for the person transferring the firearm, not the recipient. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for all firearm transfers after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for illegal firearm transfers, expanding criminalization of firearm-related offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 949: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, creates a criminal offense of storing or keeping a firearm in any place if the firearm is not secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device that is properly engaged so as to render the firearm inoperable by any person other than the owner or another lawfully authorized user; punishes a violation of the offense as a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 949 requires all firearm owners in Tennessee to store firearms in a locked container or equipped with a safety device that renders them inoperable to unauthorized users. This applies to firearms kept in any location, except when carried by the owner or a lawfully authorized user. Violating this rule is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months in jail or a fine. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for firearm storage, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 77: Juvenile Offenders - As introduced, requires a juvenile 16 years of age or older accused of a delinquent act to be transferred from juvenile court to criminal court to be tried as an adult if the juvenile has a prior adjudication of delinquency for any offense and the juvenile court finds probable cause to believe the juvenile committed the delinquent act. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Chapter 1007 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 77 would require Tennessee juvenile courts to automatically transfer 16-year-olds or older accused of a delinquent act to criminal court for adult trial if they have a prior delinquency adjudication and the court finds probable cause. This applies specifically to juveniles meeting all three conditions: age 16+, prior delinquency record, and probable cause for the current offense. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 37-1-134 and 37-1-159 to establish this transfer process, while excluding juveniles deemed developmentally disabled or mentally ill. The law would take effect July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic transfer of juveniles to adult court, increasing criminalization and reducing rehabilitative options for youth with prior offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 55: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates new misdemeanor offenses, including intentionally giving a false or fictitious name to a law enforcement officer who has lawfully detained or arrested such person. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40; Title 54 and Title 55.

HB 55 creates new misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee for deliberately refusing to provide one's name to law enforcement during a lawful detention or arrest, or for intentionally giving a false name. It also establishes misdemeanor penalties for approaching within 25 feet of an officer who has ordered you to stop, and for riding in the cargo area of a box truck (defined as enclosed vehicles without passenger seats). The law directly affects individuals interacting with police, drivers using specific vehicle configurations, and those placing signs on public infrastructure without permission. Key provisions include classifying these violations as misdemeanors (Class B or C) and clarifying that failing to show ID isn't a violation if verbal identification is attempted. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offenses for refusing to provide name to police and approaching officers, expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 521: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, creates a law enforcement investigatory privilege; prohibits a subpoena from being issued for a civil or criminal proceeding for information protected by the law enforcement privilege. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 1, Part 2 and Title 40, Chapter 17, Part 1.

SB 521 creates a new "law enforcement investigatory privilege" in Tennessee, protecting certain information gathered during active criminal investigations. It prohibits civil or criminal court subpoenas from demanding details covered by this privilege (such as evidence or witness statements) while an investigation is ongoing. The privilege applies until the case closes through dismissal, acquittal, or expiration of appeal deadlines. This directly affects law enforcement agencies (who gain protection for their investigative materials) and individuals or entities seeking such information through court subpoenas. The bill does not override constitutional rights or change standard subpoena procedures for law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates law enforcement privilege shielding investigatory details from subpoenas, reducing judicial oversight during active cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1129: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony that is committed when a person exercises control over a motor vehicle knowing that the person does not have the permission of the owner of the motor vehicle; creates a Class A misdemeanor of possessing a firearm that the person knows or reasonably should know has been stolen. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1129 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: (1) a Class E felony for controlling a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission (even if not intending to steal it), and (2) a Class A misdemeanor for possessing a firearm known to be stolen. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully take vehicles or possess stolen firearms, with penalties based on the specific violation. The bill amends Tennessee’s criminal code to define these acts clearly, specifying that unauthorized vehicle control is a felony while stolen firearm possession is a misdemeanor. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and is currently pending review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates stricter penalties (Class E felony for vehicle control, Class A misdemeanor for stolen firearms), expanding criminalization per indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 163: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment when the offense is committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, if the motor vehicle is occupied, or a Class D felony, if the motor vehicle is unoccupied. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

SB 163 increases penalties for reckless endangerment involving discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle in Tennessee. If the vehicle is occupied, the offense becomes a Class C felony (up from Class E); if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill directly affects anyone who fires a gun into a vehicle, raising criminal consequences based on whether occupants were present. It amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-103 to clarify these penalty levels, effective July 1, 2025. The change applies specifically to motor vehicles as defined by state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony penalties for firearm discharge into vehicles, expanding criminalization and raising mandatory sentences without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 1253: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, creates the offense of carrying or possessing a firearm, including a firearm that was privately assembled and does not contain a serial number or other mark that conforms with federal law, if, at the time of carrying or possessing, the person is not a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 55, Chapter 50.

SB 1253 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for individuals who carry or possess a privately assembled firearm without a serial number (or other federal-compliant mark) if they are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The bill directly affects non-citizens and non-permanent residents in Tennessee who possess such firearms, as defined by the law. Key provisions amend Tennessee Code § 39-17-1307 to prohibit this specific conduct, referencing federal firearm marking requirements under 18 U.S.C. § 923(i). The law would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for non-citizens possessing unmarked firearms, expanding criminalization without reform focus or defendant protections.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates Class A misdemeanor for non-citizens possessing unmarked firearms, restricting access based on immigration status per bill's explicit criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track