Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 447: Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, requires the department of correction, in consultation with the inmate disciplinary oversight board, to compose a report detailing the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits, and to submit the report to legislative committees. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 447 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create an annual report tracking how many inmates earned sentence reduction credits (which shorten prison time). The report must detail these numbers and be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the relevant House committee on criminal sentencing. This bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 3, 4, 40, and 41) to establish this reporting requirement. The change directly affects state corrections officials and provides lawmakers with data on sentence credit usage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on inmate sentence reduction credits to improve transparency and oversight of rehabilitation-focused sentencing practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 261: Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, requires the department of correction, in consultation with the inmate disciplinary oversight board, to compose a report detailing the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits, and to submit the report to legislative committees. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 261 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction, in collaboration with the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board, to create an annual report tracking the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits under state law. The report must detail these credits and be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the relevant House committee. This bill directly affects the Department of Correction and the oversight board by mandating transparency about how sentence credits are applied to inmates. It does not change sentencing laws but adds a reporting requirement to improve legislative oversight of correctional practices. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 41-21-236 and related titles to implement this reporting obligation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency in sentence credit application, supporting accountability in criminal justice reform through data-driven oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 475: Sentencing - As introduced, reduces the percentage of sentence that a person convicted of first degree murder on or after July 1, 1995, and sentenced to life imprisonment is required to serve before becoming eligible for release from 100 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained to 60 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained; prohibits a defendant becoming eligible for parole before serving 25 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 25 years of age or younger at the time of the offense, or 30 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 26 years of age or older at the time of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 2 and Title 40.

SB 475 modifies Tennessee's sentencing rules for individuals convicted of first-degree murder after July 1, 1995, who receive life imprisonment. It reduces the required service for release eligibility from 100% of 60 years (60 years total) to 60% of 60 years (36 years), minus time earned for good behavior. However, it mandates a minimum 25-year sentence if the offender was under 25 at the time of the crime, or 30 years if 26 or older. This bill directly affects life-sentenced murder convicts in Tennessee, changing when they may become eligible for parole under specific age-based timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces required service time from 60 to 36 years for life-sentenced murder convicts, advancing sentencing reform by lowering mandatory minimums while maintaining age-based minimums.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 505: Montgomery County - As enacted, permits a court to transfer, upon motion by the defendant, a criminal case to the veterans treatment court program in Montgomery County if the veterans treatment court program would have jurisdiction over the case if the offense had been committed in Montgomery County, the defendant files with the court a written waiver of the right to be tried by an impartial jury of the county in which the crime was committed, and the district attorney general for Montgomery County agrees to accept transfer of the case. - Amends TCA Title 16 and Title 40.

SB 505 allows veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to a veterans treatment court in a neighboring county (like Montgomery County, which has a population of 220,000-220,100 per census). It directly affects eligible veterans who qualify for veterans treatment court in the new county and must agree to waive their right to a jury trial in their original county. The transfer requires three conditions: the receiving court would have jurisdiction if the crime occurred there, the defendant signs a written waiver, and the district attorney general for the new county consents. This bill amends Tennessee law to expand access to veterans treatment courts across qualifying contiguous counties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables veterans treatment court transfers to prioritize rehabilitation over traditional prosecution, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and address underlying issues for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnables veterans facing criminal charges to access specialized treatment courts focused on rehabilitation rather than traditional prosecution, addressing underlying issues through targeted support programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 94: State Inmates - As introduced, requires the state to pay for autopsies of deceased inmates and for any transportation associated with the autopsy. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 7; Title 41, Chapter 21 and Title 68, Chapter 4.

HB 94 requires the state to cover the cost of autopsies for deceased inmates and any necessary transportation related to those autopsies. This bill directly affects Tennessee's correctional facilities and the state government, which would now be responsible for these expenses. The key provision amends Tennessee law to mandate state funding for autopsy examinations (as specified in TCA 41-21-221) and associated transport. The bill does not change inmate rights or procedures but shifts the financial responsibility from local entities to the state. It is currently pending in the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for inmate autopsies and transportation, increasing government expenditure per TCA amendments.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates state funding for inmate autopsies and transportation, reducing financial burden on families and improving correctional transparency per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 478: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an annual training pay bonus supplement for eligible campus police officers and public safety officers in the amount of $800. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38 and Section 49-7-118.

SB 478 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police officers and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill also ensures officers who served in active military duty during designated conflicts (and were unable to attend training due to service) receive the bonus regardless of training completion. This applies to officers at institutions covered under Tennessee’s campus law enforcement statutes. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement training via $800 annual bonus for campus officers, strengthening officer preparedness and retention under criminal justice law enforcement policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $800 annual cash bonus for eligible campus police officers completing training, expanding their compensation benefits per Labor & Employment topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSpecifically grants $800 bonus to officers who served in military conflicts and missed training due to service, recognizing veteran contributions in law enforcement roles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 718: Courts, Juvenile - As enacted, requires a juvenile court conducting a child custody, detention, or adjudicatory proceeding to conduct the proceeding in a dedicated courtroom provided by the county that is closest in proximity to an approved detention center. - Amends TCA Title 37.

SB 718 requires Tennessee juvenile courts to hold child custody, detention, or legal hearings in a dedicated courtroom located as close as possible to the county's approved juvenile detention facility. This applies to courts that use a detention center approved by the Department of Children's Services for housing detained youth. The law aims to reduce the humiliation and unnecessary transportation of detained children by minimizing public exposure and restraints during court appearances. It does not change detention standards or confidentiality rules but mandates specific courtroom location practices for these proceedings. The bill became effective October 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces juvenile trauma by minimizing court transport/public exposure, aligning with reform goals to improve court procedures for detained youth.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 34: 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.

SB 34 creates a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly transferring a firearm to someone prohibited from owning one under state or federal law, directly affecting individuals who sell, lend, or give firearms to such persons. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 39-17-1316 to prohibit giving, selling, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring firearms when the transferor knows or should reasonably know the recipient is prohibited. Violations carry penalties of up to 11 months in jail and/or fines. The law applies to all firearm transfers occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class A misdemeanor for illegal firearm transfers to prohibited persons, strengthening enforcement against firearm crimes under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 1097: DUI Offenses - As enacted, requires the state treasurer to deem a person ordered by a court to use a functioning ignition interlock device to be indigent and unable to pay the costs of the device if the person receives funds from the supplemental nutrition assistance, temporary assistance for needy families, or state medicaid program; removes the requirement that a court determine whether a person asserting inability to pay for a functioning ignition interlock device is indigent; revises other provisions relative to the electronic monitoring indigency fund. - Amends TCA Section 55-10-419.

SB 1097 changes Tennessee law for DUI offenders required to use ignition interlock devices (IIDs) by automatically deeming individuals receiving SNAP, TANF, or state Medicaid benefits as unable to pay for the device, eliminating the need for a court hearing to determine indigency. Under this bill, eligible individuals must pay $30 monthly toward device costs, with the state covering the remainder up to $170 per month from the electronic monitoring indigency fund. The law updates reimbursement procedures for device providers, requiring them to submit claims with court orders and proof of the person's benefit eligibility. This applies specifically to those ordered to use a functioning IID for DUI offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically deems SNAP/TANF/Medicaid recipients indigent for IID costs, removing court hearings and reducing financial barriers - aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting low-income defendants' rights and promoting fair compliance.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUses Medicaid eligibility to waive IID costs, preventing financial barriers to healthcare access for beneficiaries.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Medicaid

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1343: DUI Offenses - As enacted, requires the state treasurer to deem a person ordered by a court to use a functioning ignition interlock device to be indigent and unable to pay the costs of the device if the person receives funds from the supplemental nutrition assistance, temporary assistance for needy families, or state medicaid program; removes the requirement that a court determine whether a person asserting inability to pay for a functioning ignition interlock device is indigent; revises other provisions relative to the electronic monitoring indigency fund. - Amends TCA Section 55-10-419.

HB 1343 automates indigency determination for DUI offenders required to use ignition interlock devices. It directs the state treasurer to automatically deem individuals receiving SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits as indigent for device cost coverage, eliminating the need for courts to hold separate hearings to assess financial status. The bill revises Tennessee Code § 55-10-419 to streamline reimbursement from the electronic monitoring indigency fund, requiring providers to submit claims with court orders and proof of program eligibility. This directly affects low-income DUI offenders enrolled in federal/state assistance programs, ensuring they pay only $30 monthly toward device costs while the fund covers the remainder (up to $170). The policy change removes administrative hurdles for qualifying individuals while maintaining cost-sharing requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates indigency determination for DUI offenders on SNAP/TANF/Medicaid, eliminating court hearings to access device cost coverage - streamlines access to justice for low-income defendants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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