HB 1772 protects Tennessee higher education institutions (like colleges and universities) from lawsuits claiming negligence in admitting, enrolling, or providing housing to students with prior criminal convictions. It prohibits holding schools liable *solely* based on a student’s past conviction and bans using that criminal record as evidence in such cases. However, the law does not apply if the institution knew about a prior violent or violent sexual offense, or if it willfully allowed a student with such a history to remain enrolled. This bill does not create new lawsuits but changes how existing negligence claims can be handled for students with criminal records.
SB 1914 prevents Tennessee's Department of Correction from moving state inmates out of local jails into state facilities if they're in a work release or re-entry program, unless the inmate fails program requirements or has disciplinary issues. This directly affects inmates participating in these community-based programs who might otherwise face sudden relocation. The bill adds a specific legal prohibition requiring the department to maintain these inmates in local jails during program participation, barring only documented failures or misconduct. It creates a concrete policy change to support continuity in rehabilitation programs by limiting arbitrary transfers.
HB 1475 limits when Tennessee courts can exclude evidence in criminal cases. It prohibits excluding evidence unless it was obtained through deliberate, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct violating the Fourth Amendment, or recurring/systemic negligence, and refusing to exclude it would contradict a clear U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The bill also creates an immediate appeal for prosecutors to the Tennessee Supreme Court when a judge suppresses evidence, requiring the court to expedite the review. This aligns Tennessee's evidence rules strictly with federal standards, preventing state courts from imposing stricter exclusion rules than those set by the U.S. Supreme Court.
SB 1977 (Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-35-311(h)) modifies probation rules for felony offenders who violate probation by committing a drug offense. It requires trial judges, for the first violation of this type, to order substance abuse treatment instead of revoking probation - based on a preponderance of evidence. This applies directly to individuals on probation for felony drug offenses who breach probation terms. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and aims to prioritize treatment over immediate probation revocation for first-time violations.
HB 1525 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentencing isn't warranted and would harm justice. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors, such as sexual offenses or abuse across separate incidents. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115, making consecutive sentencing the default for these cases. Exceptions are limited to specific judicial findings about case facts and the "best interest of justice," not general discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.
SB 1599 prohibits Tennessee courts from charging defendants with court costs in criminal cases when the defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge), charges are dismissed by the prosecution or court, or the state enters a nolle prosequi. It directly affects criminal defendants who are acquitted or have charges dropped, ensuring they won't face additional financial penalties for those outcomes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-11-102 and 40-25-123 to establish this rule, effective July 1, 2026. This policy change removes a financial burden for acquitted defendants, aligning court cost assessments with case outcomes.
This bill, "Matthew Davenport's Law," makes it illegal to possess Kratom (Class D felony), manufacture or sell it (Class B felony), or sell it to minors (Class A felony). It requires toxicology testing for drug overdose deaths and neonatal abstinence syndrome cases to include Kratom testing, and mandates adding Kratom to the definition of "drug" for workers' compensation claims. These provisions would directly affect Kratom users, distributors, healthcare providers conducting toxicology tests, and workers' compensation claimants. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 1962 creates a strong presumption against granting probation to defendants convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm. Specifically, if a defendant used or displayed a firearm during the assault (as defined under Tennessee law), the court must assume they are not suitable for probation unless the defendant proves otherwise. This rule applies to all aggravated assault convictions under § 39-13-102 and takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of firearm-related aggravated assault by making probation significantly harder to obtain.
SB 1698 increases the penalty for impersonating a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony when the impersonation occurs during the commission or attempt of a crime of violence. This change directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers while committing or attempting violent crimes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-16-301, to establish this higher penalty level. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 1911 would allow non-citizen residents of Tennessee to access their own law enforcement records, such as arrest reports or traffic citations, by removing a citizenship requirement in public records law. To obtain these records, non-citizens must submit a written request, a government-issued photo ID, and an affidavit confirming the record pertains solely to them. The bill specifically applies only to records about the requester and does not override existing confidentiality laws for other types of records. This change would directly affect non-citizen individuals seeking access to their personal law enforcement documentation within Tennessee.
