Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 787: DUI Offenses - As enacted, creates a distance to drive program study committee to help determine the feasibility of implementing a distance to drive program that would facilitate reinstatement of suspended and revoked driver licenses for criminal defendants based on meeting the objectives set by the court and completing all the requirements set by the department of safety. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

HB 787 creates a study committee to examine the feasibility of implementing a "distance to drive" program for DUI offenders in Tennessee. This program would allow individuals with suspended or revoked driver licenses - due to DUI convictions - to have their licenses reinstated by meeting court objectives and completing requirements set by the Department of Safety. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (16, 39, 40, 55) to establish this committee and adjust a license reinstatement deadline. It does not create the program itself but studies whether it could be implemented to help DUI defendants regain driving privileges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates study committee to explore license reinstatement program for DUI offenders, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing barriers to rehabilitation and reintegration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 1349: Expunction - As introduced, requires a clerk of a court with criminal jurisdiction to automatically remove and destroy all public records of a conviction for a Class E felony or misdemeanor that is eligible for expunction, one year after the person has completed any sentence imposed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 10; Title 18 and Title 40.

SB 1349 automatically removes and destroys public records of eligible Class E felony or misdemeanor convictions one year after the person completes their sentence. It directly affects individuals convicted of qualifying offenses who meet existing expunction criteria under Tennessee law. The bill requires court clerks to handle this process without cost to the person, with courts notifying clerks for future cases (post-July 1, 2025), and allowing pre-2025 convictions to be processed via a request to the court. This eliminates manual steps for eligible individuals, streamlining access to record clearance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates expunction of eligible records to reduce barriers to reintegration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Tennessee · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 762: Witnesses - As enacted, establishes procedures for the use of certified facility dogs during witness testimony and other court proceedings; establishes standards for certified facility dogs. - Amends TCA Title 24; Title 36; Title 37 and Title 40.

HB 762 establishes rules for using certified facility dogs to support witnesses, especially victims, during court testimony to reduce stress and improve testimony accuracy. The bill sets specific standards for dogs (including training, health checks, and $500,000 liability insurance) and handlers (requiring legal procedure training), and requires courts to approve their use via a motion before proceedings. During testimony, dogs must wear visible identification, handlers must stay visible to the witness (outside jury view), and courts must inform juries that the dog’s presence doesn’t affect the case. Courts must also take steps to minimize jury visibility of the dog during testimony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeImproves witness testimony accuracy in courts via certified facility dogs, reducing trauma for victims and enhancing court proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 391: Witnesses - As enacted, establishes procedures for the use of certified facility dogs during witness testimony and other court proceedings; establishes standards for certified facility dogs. - Amends TCA Title 24; Title 36; Title 37 and Title 40.

SB 391 allows certified facility dogs to accompany witnesses - especially trauma victims - in court to reduce stress and improve testimony accuracy. It sets strict requirements: dogs must have 2+ years of training, vet health certificates, $500,000 insurance, and visible markings, while handlers must be certified in legal protocols. Courts must approve requests via motion, require handlers to stay visible to witnesses but out of jury view during testimony, and instruct juries not to view the dog as prejudicial. The law, effective April 11, 2025, applies to all Tennessee court proceedings involving witness testimony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves court testimony accuracy for trauma victims via certified facility dogs, enhancing witness experience and fair trial outcomes in criminal proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 835: Expunction - As introduced, shortens the length of time that a petitioner must wait before having an eligible Class D felony expunged from 10 years after the completion of the sentence imposed for the offense the petitioner is seeking to have expunged, to eight years from completion. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 32.

HB 835 shortens the waiting period for expunging certain criminal records in Tennessee. It reduces the required time from 10 years to 8 years after completing a sentence for a Class D felony, making it easier for eligible individuals to have those records sealed. The bill directly affects people convicted of Class D felonies who seek to expunge their records. The key change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated §40-32-101(g)(2)(B)(ii), specifying the new eight-year waiting period for this offense level.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens expungement waiting period for Class D felonies, advancing criminal justice reform by easing record sealing to reduce recidivism and improve reintegration.95% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 916: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, expands the definition of "racketeering activity" to include committing, conspiring to commit, aiding, attempting to aid, soliciting, coercing, facilitating, or intimidating another person to commit the criminal offense of animal fighting. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 916 expands Tennessee's definition of "racketeering activity" to specifically include animal fighting, as defined under Tennessee Code § 39-14-203. This change directly affects individuals or groups involved in organizing, participating in, or facilitating animal fighting events, treating such activities as part of organized criminal enterprises. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-12-203(10) by adding a new subsection (RRR) to categorize animal fighting under racketeering offenses. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands racketeering definition to include animal fighting, strengthening enforcement against organized criminal enterprises under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

signed · Tennessee · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 577: State Inmates - As enacted, increases the accreditation stipend provided to eligible counties for each convicted felon housed by the county. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 29; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 577 increases the state-funded stipend that eligible counties receive for housing each convicted felon in county facilities. This change directly affects counties operating correctional facilities, providing them with additional state funding per inmate. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (TCA Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to adjust the stipend amount. It was signed into law in May 2025 and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases state funding for county correctional facilities housing inmates, directly supporting corrections infrastructure within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 175: State Inmates - As enacted, requires by July 1, 2027, and each July 1 thereafter, the commissioner of correction to deliver to the chairs of legislative committees with jurisdiction over the department a report containing data with regard to individuals who may be certified eligible for parole for being chronically debilitated or incapacitated. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 175 changes Tennessee's parole and furlough rules for inmates with serious medical conditions. It removes the requirement that an inmate must be "chronically debilitated" to be certified for parole, and expands eligibility for furloughs when an inmate cannot perform basic daily tasks in prison due to a medical condition. The bill affects inmates with health issues that limit their ability to manage daily activities in a correctional setting. These changes update Tennessee Code Sections 40-35-501 (parole eligibility) and 41-21-227 (furlough criteria), but the bill remains pending in the Senate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves medical barrier for parole/furloughs, enabling compassionate release for inmates with chronic conditions - advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jun 4, 2025

SB 186: State Inmates - As enacted, increases the accreditation stipend provided to eligible counties for each convicted felon housed by the county. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 29; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 186 increases state payments to counties for housing convicted felons by raising the accreditation stipend per inmate. This directly affects counties that operate local jails or hold inmates under state supervision. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (including Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to implement this payment increase. The change became law on June 4, 2025, after passing through legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases state funding to counties for housing inmates via higher accreditation stipends, directly supporting correctional system operations and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 954: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires each law enforcement agency to develop and implement an alternative crisis response unit; requires the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission to establish uniform training standards for alternative crisis response units in all law enforcement agencies. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 38.

HB 954 requires all Tennessee law enforcement agencies to create and implement alternative crisis response units by January 1, 2026. These units must pair a full-time police officer with a qualified mental health professional who leads mental health-related emergency calls. The bill mandates the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to establish uniform training standards for these units and provide annual officer training on supporting mental health professionals during crisis calls. The law directly affects every law enforcement agency in Tennessee and updates state statutes to formalize this crisis response model.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mental health professionals in crisis response units, reducing police involvement in non-violent mental health emergencies - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health professionals in crisis response units, directly supporting mental health services by improving emergency care access and integration with law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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