Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 1444: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for aggravated cruelty to animals from a Class E felony to a Class D felony; adds aggravated cruelty to animals as an offense for which a juvenile may be classified as a serious youthful offender. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.

HB 1444 increases penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals in Tennessee, raising the offense from a Class E to a Class D felony. It also adds this crime to the list of offenses that can lead to juveniles being classified as "serious youthful offenders" under state law. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of severe animal cruelty (including juveniles) and takes effect July 1, 2026. These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 39-14-212 (criminal penalties) and 37-1-131 (juvenile classification).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for animal cruelty (Class E to D felony) and expands juvenile criminalization, opposing reform by strengthening punitive measures rather than promoting rehabilitation or rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 216: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, raises from $3,000 to $4,000, the maximum fine that a jury may impose for the offense of conveyance by general warranty deed with knowledge of existing liens. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 39; Title 62 and Title 66.

SB 216 increases the maximum fine for a specific property fraud offense from $3,000 to $4,000. It targets individuals who transfer land using a general warranty deed while knowingly concealing existing liens or mortgages with the intent to defraud creditors. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 66-3-104, raising the fine limit within the existing Class E felony framework (which includes imprisonment terms). This change directly affects those committing deed fraud, without altering the felony classification or imprisonment penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum fine for property fraud from $3k to $4k within Class E felony, strengthening punitive measures for specific fraud offense without reform intent.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 45: Sentencing - As introduced, adds as an enhancement factor to be used in determining the sentence within the permissible range for a criminal offense that the defendant is an adult and committed the offense with a minor, regardless of whether the minor was convicted of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 45 would add a new sentencing factor for judges in Tennessee: when sentencing an adult who committed a criminal offense with a minor, judges must consider this fact as an enhancement within the existing sentencing range. This applies regardless of whether the minor was convicted of the offense. The bill amends Tennessee law (Title 39 and Title 40) to require this consideration for all relevant criminal cases. The change would affect adult defendants in cases involving minors, making it a factor judges must weigh during sentencing decisions, but it does not alter the maximum or minimum sentences. The law would take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds sentencing enhancement for adults involving minors, increasing penalties - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 588: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

HB 588 creates a new Class E felony for altering, covering, defacing, destroying, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or other distinguishing mark, or for selling, buying, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle altered guns. The bill imposes a mandatory 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no eligibility for early release. If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2025, and amend Tennessee’s criminal code sections related to firearms and offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates mandatory 180-day sentence for firearm serial number tampering, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Jan 15, 2025

HB 74: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, establishes mandatory minimum penalties of 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine for a person convicted of knowingly selling or distributing a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21 years of age. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 43, Chapter 27 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

HB 74 would have imposed mandatory penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products (like CBD) to anyone under 21. Specifically, it would require a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and a $500 fine for sellers convicted of this offense. The bill aimed to amend Tennessee law to cover these sales under existing criminal statutes. However, the bill was introduced on January 14, 2025, but withdrawn the next day and not advanced further. It is no longer active legislation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum penalties (48h jail/$500 fine) for selling hemp products to minors, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing - direct OPPOSE indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 445: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, revises the procedure for restoration of rights of citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 445 updates Tennessee's process for restoring voting rights after felony convictions. It replaces vague language about "restoring citizenship rights" with specific requirements that voting rights must be restored "as prescribed by law" for each felony conviction. The bill explicitly bans voting rights restoration for certain serious offenses, including first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, and voter fraud (with expanded restrictions for some crimes after 2006). This affects individuals with felony convictions who previously had their voting rights restored through court orders or pardons. The law became effective on May 13, 2025, after becoming Public Chapter 298.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts voting rights restoration for serious offenses like murder/rape, limiting post-conviction rights instead of advancing reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 250: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for recklessly storing a firearm in a manner that a person knows or reasonably should know will allow a child younger than 18 years of age to access the firearm and the child brings the firearm to a school. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 250 creates a Class A misdemeanor for adults who recklessly store firearms in a way that allows a child under 18 to access them, and the child later brings the firearm to a school. It directly affects firearm owners - such as parents or guardians - who fail to secure guns safely, knowing or reasonably should know a child could reach them. The law defines "school" broadly to include buildings, buses, campuses, athletic fields, and other school-owned properties. Violating this law carries penalties for the person who stored the firearm recklessly, not the child. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for firearm storage, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances school safety by penalizing unsafe firearm storage that could lead to children bringing guns to school, directly protecting educational environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 237: 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.

SB 237 requires Tennessee juvenile courts to automatically transfer to adult criminal court any 16-year-old or older youth accused of a delinquent act (a crime if committed by an adult) who has a prior court finding of delinquency for any offense. The transfer happens if the court finds probable cause the youth committed the current act and the youth is not committable to a mental health facility. Juveniles and their families must receive 14 days' written notice before a hearing to determine if these conditions are met. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025, changing how certain repeat juvenile offenders are processed in the justice system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates automatic transfer of juveniles to adult court, bypassing rehabilitation-focused juvenile system and imposing harsher penalties, opposing criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 196: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, raises from $3,000 to $4,000, the maximum fine that a jury may impose for the offense of conveyance by general warranty deed with knowledge of existing liens. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 39; Title 62 and Title 66.

HB 196 raises the maximum fine for transferring property using a general warranty deed while knowing about existing liens and intending to defraud from $3,000 to $4,000. This change applies to Tennessee law in Titles 8, 39, 62, and 66, specifically targeting real estate fraud cases. The bill directly affects individuals who commit this offense and the courts that set penalties for such crimes. It increases the potential financial penalty without altering the felony classification of the crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRaises maximum fine for real estate fraud, increasing penalty without criminal justice reform or rehabilitation focus.90% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 221: Juvenile Offenders - As enacted, permits a court to use juvenile court records, including the disposition and evidence, in pretrial reports used to set bond for certain criminal offenses; requires the magistrate to consider the defendant's prior juvenile record in determining the defendant's risk of danger to the community. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 40.

SB 221 allows Tennessee courts to use juvenile court records - including past dispositions and evidence - in pretrial reports for setting bond in certain criminal cases. It requires magistrates to consider a defendant's prior juvenile record when determining their risk of danger to the community. This change directly affects individuals with prior juvenile court involvement who are facing criminal charges and undergoing bond hearings. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 37-1-133, 37-1-153, and 40-11-118 to permit this use of juvenile records, which were previously prohibited in non-juvenile court proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill requires using juvenile records in bond determinations, potentially increasing pretrial detention risks for defendants with juvenile history, reducing defendant rights per oppose indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice