Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 1070: Statutes of Limitations and Repose - As enacted, extends the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of certain child sexual abuse felonies from 25 years from the child's eighteenth birthday to 30 years from the child's eighteenth birthday; extends the statute of limitations for a civil action based on child sexual abuse from 15 years from the child's eighteenth birthday to 30 years from the child's eighteenth birthday. - Amends TCA Title 28 and Title 40, Chapter 2.

SB 1070 extends the time limits for filing criminal and civil cases involving child sexual abuse in Tennessee. For criminal cases, it increases the deadline from 25 to 30 years after the victim turns 18; for civil cases, it raises the deadline from 15 to 30 years after the victim turns 18. The bill also requires prosecutors to provide corroborating evidence for cases filed beyond these extended periods. It applies to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2025, and takes effect on that date. This change directly affects survivors seeking legal action for historical child sexual abuse.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse cases, enabling victims more time to seek justice, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 289: Workers Compensation - As enacted, creates a presumption that the diagnosis of a law enforcement officer or emergency medical responder with post-traumatic stress disorder as the result of responding to certain incidents was incurred in the line of duty for purposes of workers' compensation coverage. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51 and Title 50, Chapter 6.

SB 289 creates a legal presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed in law enforcement officers and emergency medical responders (EMTs) is work-related if it results from responding to specific incidents, making it automatically eligible for workers' compensation coverage. This directly affects those first responders by streamlining their claims process without requiring separate proof of work connection. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 7-51-206 and 50-6-101 to replace "firefighter" with "law enforcement officer or emergency medical responder" throughout the relevant workers' compensation provisions. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to claims for PTSD incurred while performing official duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates automatic workers' comp for law enforcement PTSD, supporting officer welfare and retention in criminal justice roles by streamlining claims.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates presumption for PTSD coverage under workers' comp, removing barriers to mental health treatment access for first responders per bill's intent to streamline claims.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates presumption for PTSD workers' comp coverage for first responders, removing proof burden and strengthening benefit access per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 2, 2025

HB 583: Evidence - As enacted, permits the introduction into evidence of a video recording of a child victim being interviewed by a forensic interviewer regarding sexual or physically violent contact with the child if the forensic interviewer confirms the accuracy of the recording and the child is available for cross examination; makes other changes relative to forensic interviews. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 7.

HB 583 allows video recordings of child forensic interviews (in cases involving sexual or physical violence) to be used as court evidence, provided a trained interviewer confirms the recording's accuracy and the child is available for cross-examination by the defense. It amends Tennessee evidence law to require the child or interviewer to verify the recording's truthfulness under oath. The bill specifically clarifies that interviews conducted by qualified child advocacy centers (meeting certain standards) or federal agencies are admissible. This directly affects child victims in criminal cases where such video evidence is relevant, ensuring their statements can be presented without requiring repeated testimony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows child forensic interview videos as evidence with safeguards, protecting victims' rights while maintaining defendant cross-examination, aligning with victim-centered criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 981: Controlled Substances - As introduced, decriminalizes the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana or less than five marijuana plants; authorizes municipalities and counties to impose civil penalties on the possession of marijuana in certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 18, Part 3; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4 and Title 40.

HB 981 decriminalizes possession of less than one ounce (28.35 grams) of marijuana or up to five marijuana plants in Tennessee, removing criminal penalties for these amounts. It allows cities and counties to impose civil fines (up to $250 total) for public possession or casual exchange of these small amounts, calculated at $25 per 0.1 ounce or $50 per plant. The bill does not cover marijuana in other forms (like oils or concentrates) and maintains criminal penalties for selling or distributing marijuana. Local governments may set these fines through ordinances or resolutions, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes minor marijuana possession, removing criminal penalties and shifting to civil fines - reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 120: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the offense of intentionally impeding or obstructing a member of the division of protective services from ingress to, egress from, or movement about a location where the member is responsible for a person protected by the division of protective services; creates the offense of intentionally refusing to vacate an area where access has been restricted by a member of the division of protective services for the purpose of maintaining the safety or security of the person being protected. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 39.

HB 120 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: intentionally obstructing officers from entering, leaving, or moving within areas where they protect vulnerable individuals, and refusing to vacate restricted zones when ordered for safety. It directly affects anyone who interferes with the Division of Protective Services (including highway patrol and law enforcement officers) while they are safeguarding people under their protection. Violating these provisions is a Class A misdemeanor, but becomes a Class E felony if the person posed a threat to the protected individual. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all locations where protective services are actively engaged.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses to protect law enforcement's ability to safeguard vulnerable individuals, strengthening enforcement protocols for protective services operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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 · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1131: Orders of Protection - As introduced, allows a court to issue an emergency protection order upon a finding that a person poses an imminent risk of harm to the person or others if allowed to purchase or possess a firearm; authorizes a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer to petition for such an order. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

SB 1131 would allow Tennessee courts to issue emergency protection orders prohibiting individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms when a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer files a petition alleging an imminent risk of harm. The order would take effect immediately, with a court hearing required within 30 days to extend it for up to one year if the petitioner proves the risk by a preponderance of evidence. Petitioners would not pay court costs, fees, or related expenses, and law enforcement must report the order to national databases. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, to establish this process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens firearm restrictions in domestic violence cases via emergency protection orders, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to prevent harm and enhance victim safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 252: Treasurer, State - As enacted, sets the maximum award of compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1976 at 105% of the national average of the maximum compensation award provided by the 50 states within the United States, the District of Columbia, and the United States Virgin Islands, rounded up to the nearest $100; requires the state treasurer to publish on the department of treasury website the maximum compensation award for claims filed for crimes occurring on or after July 1, 2025. - Amends TCA Section 29-13-106.

SB 252 adjusts Tennessee's maximum compensation for crime victims under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act to 105% of the national average compensation offered by all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. Virgin Islands. It requires the state treasurer to review and adjust this maximum amount every three years (starting January 2026), comparing it to the national average and rounding up to the nearest $100 if needed. The adjusted amount must be published on the Treasury website by March 1 each comparison year, effective for claims filed on or after July 1. This directly affects crime victims in Tennessee who file claims for compensation after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim compensation to 105% of national average, strengthening victim support within criminal justice system per TCA 29-13-106.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 1299: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a civil and criminal action for individuals who are the subject of an intimate digital depiction that is intentionally disclosed without the individual's consent under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 28 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 1299, the "Preventing Deepfake Images Act," creates a civil legal remedy for individuals whose non-consensual intimate digital images or videos - whether AI-generated deepfakes or manipulated real likenesses - are shared without their consent. It directly affects victims of such disclosures and those who distribute them, requiring explicit written consent for disclosure (not just creation) and defining "intimate digital depictions" to include explicit images of identifiable people. Key provisions allow victims to sue for up to $150,000 in liquidated damages, actual damages for emotional harm, or recovery of the defendant’s profits, plus attorney fees. Exceptions cover disclosures made in good faith to law enforcement or during legal proceedings, while courts may grant anonymity to plaintiffs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil/criminal remedy for non-consensual intimate image victims, protecting rights under criminal justice reform by addressing digital exploitation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates legal remedy for non-consensual deepfake image sharing, strengthening data privacy protections against AI-generated intimate content misuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 948: Domestic Violence - As introduced, requires a person who is convicted of domestic assault or subject to an order of protection to dispossess any firearm in the person's possession by transferring the firearm to a law enforcement agency and to provide the court with an affidavit of dispossession of firearms and a receipt from the law enforcement agency. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 948 requires individuals convicted of domestic assault or subject to a domestic violence order of protection to surrender any firearms they possess to a law enforcement agency within 48 hours. They must then provide the court with a receipt from law enforcement and a completed affidavit of firearm dispossession within three business days. Law enforcement must issue a receipt at the time of surrender, and the court will require proof of compliance. The law applies to all such orders or convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates firearm surrender by domestic violence offenders, reducing gun access for high-risk individuals and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to enhance victim safety and prevent recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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