Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 16, 2025

HJR 49: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 15 of the Constitution of Tennessee to remove the right to bail for the following offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great: act of terrorism; second degree murder; aggravated rape of a child; aggravated rape; grave torture; and any other offense, as of November 3, 2026, for which a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least 85 percent of the entire sentence imposed. -

HJR 49 proposes amending Tennessee's constitution to restrict bail for specific serious crimes. It would eliminate the right to bail for defendants charged with terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape (including of children), grave torture, or other offenses where a conviction would require serving at least 85% of the sentence before release. This change would apply when evidence is strong or the presumption of guilt is high. The amendment requires judges to document bail decisions for these cases and must be approved by voters in the 2026 election. It directly affects individuals charged with these offenses before trial.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves bail rights for serious crimes (terrorism, murder, rape), restricting defendant rights and increasing pretrial detention per constitutional amendment.95% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 456: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds the offense of robbery to the definition of crime of violence. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 456 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include robbery as a "crime of violence" within the state's criminal code. This change adds robbery to a list of offenses - including murder, rape, burglary, and aggravated assault - that are currently classified under this legal category. By doing so, the bill ensures robbery cases will be treated under the same sentencing and legal frameworks as other designated violent crimes. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2025, impacting how Tennessee courts and law enforcement handle robbery prosecutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill adds robbery to 'crime of violence' category, subjecting it to harsher sentencing. Expands criminalization and increases penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing Violent Crime

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 468: Safety - As enacted, enacts the "Riley Gaines Women's Safety and Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49 and Title 68.

SB 468, the "Women's Safety and Protection Act," defines "female" and "male" biologically (based on reproductive systems at birth) for state law applications. It requires Tennessee state agencies to maintain separate facilities and accommodations for biological females in correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, domestic violence shelters, restrooms, and dormitories to protect safety and privacy. The bill mandates that biological sex - not gender identity - determines eligibility for these spaces, prohibiting agencies from banning such distinctions in settings where safety or privacy is a concern. It applies directly to women, girls, and facilities serving them, with specific provisions for restrooms, sleeping quarters, and shelter access. The law overrides conflicting state laws to enforce these biological sex-based definitions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates biological sex over gender identity in correctional facilities, restricting transgender individuals' rights in custody settings per bill's facility separation requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 578: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds certain criminal offenses to the list of dangerous felonies for purposes of the offense of possessing a firearm or antique firearm during commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 578 expands Tennessee's list of "dangerous felonies" to include new offenses like human trafficking, aggravated stalking, methamphetamine manufacturing, and drug trafficking. This change means that if someone possesses a firearm (including antique firearms) while committing or attempting any of these newly listed crimes, they face enhanced penalties. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who own firearms, increasing legal consequences for firearm possession during such crimes. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1324 to add 14 new offenses to the existing dangerous felony list, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands dangerous felonies to include human trafficking/drug trafficking, imposing harsher firearm possession penalties. Increases mandatory sentences and expands criminalization, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 591: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, clarifies, for purposes of criminal offenses relative to threats of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity or failing to report such threats, that a threat of mass violence is credible if the threat causes another to reasonably expect the commission of an act of mass violence. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 591 creates two new offenses in Tennessee law: a Class E felony for recklessly threatening mass violence against child care agencies, preschools, or religious institutions via any communication method, and a Class B misdemeanor for failing to report such threats. The bill requires anyone who knows of such a threat to immediately report it to local law enforcement and the affected institution, including specific details like the threat's nature and the person making it. It also allows courts to order threat-related defendants to undergo evaluations for potential harm and mandates restitution for disruptions caused by threats. The law directly affects individuals making or ignoring threats to vulnerable institutions, with penalties taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses (Class E felony/misdemeanor) for threats against institutions, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens school safety by criminalizing threats of mass violence and mandating reporting, directly protecting students and staff.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

signed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 218: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, establishes a presumption that a defendant should not be released on the defendant’s personal recognizance if the defendant is charged with a felony offense that involved the use or display of a firearm or resulted in the serious bodily injury or death of the victim; requires a magistrate who determines that the presumption has been rebutted to include in the bail order written findings for each factor considered in making such a determination. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 218 creates a presumption that defendants charged with offenses involving firearm use/display or causing serious injury/death should not be released on personal recognizance before trial. This directly affects individuals facing these specific charges and requires magistrates to document written reasoning if they override this presumption. The bill mandates that magistrates include specific written findings for each factor considered when determining bail, rather than relying on general discretion. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-11-115 and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates presumption against release for firearm/violent offenses, restricting defendant rights and increasing pretrial detention, opposing reform trends that reduce unnecessary detention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Judges

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 15, 2025

SB 120: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the Class C felony offense of aggravated assault against a first responder to include knowingly possessing fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or a fentanyl analogue in a manner that would be reasonably foreseen to expose a first responder to the substance while the first responder is discharging or attempting to discharge the first responder's official duties and the first responder is exposed resulting in the serious bodily injury or death of the first responder. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 120 expands Tennessee's Class C felony charge for aggravated assault against first responders to include knowingly possessing specific fentanyl-related substances (fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or analogues) in a way that could reasonably expose a first responder to the substance during their official duties. This applies when the exposure results in serious bodily injury or death to the first responder. The bill defines "expose" as direct contact via touch, ingestion, or inhalation and imposes a mandatory $15,000 fine and 90-day minimum jail sentence for violations. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding fentanyl possession near first responders to Class C felony, increasing penalties for endangering law enforcement. Fits 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 944: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, prohibits the possession of an assault weapon; directs those in possession of an assault weapon before July 1, 2025, to apply for a certificate of possession; creates the Class E felony offense of purchasing, selling, possessing, or using a part, component, device, or attachment designed to accelerate the fire of a semiautomatic rifle and makes any semiautomatic rifle that includes an accelerated fire part, component, or device a prohibited weapon. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 54; Section 38-3-119 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 944 prohibits the possession of specific firearms defined as "assault weapons" (including models like AR-15s, AK-47s, and certain semiautomatic rifles/pistols) in Tennessee. It requires current owners to apply for a "certificate of possession" by July 1, 2025, to legally retain these weapons. The bill also creates a Class E felony for purchasing, selling, or possessing parts designed to accelerate fire in semiautomatic rifles, making any rifle equipped with such parts a "prohibited weapon." This directly affects Tennessee residents owning the listed firearms or related components.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates Class E felony for firearm parts, expanding criminalization of gun ownership under criminal justice framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 671: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases from a Class E felony to a Class D felony the offense of burglary of a conveyance. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 671 reclassifies burglary of a vehicle (a "conveyance") from a Class E felony to a Class D felony under Tennessee law. This change directly affects individuals convicted of breaking into cars, trucks, or other vehicles. The bill modifies specific sections of Tennessee Code (39-13-1002 and 40-32-101) to reflect this updated felony classification. The policy change reduces the severity of penalties for this specific offense, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases burglary of conveyance from Class E to Class D felony, making penalties more severe. This opposes criminal justice reform by harshening sentencing for this offense.90% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 829: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates the Class B misdemeanor of intentionally refusing a law enforcement officer's request to exit from a motor vehicle during a lawful traffic stop. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16.

SB 829 creates a new Class B misdemeanor offense for drivers who intentionally refuse to exit their vehicle when lawfully stopped by police. It directly affects individuals stopped during traffic stops who ignore an officer's request to leave their vehicle. The bill amends Tennessee law to define this refusal as a punishable offense, with penalties including fines or up to 60 days in jail. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies only during lawful traffic stops where the officer has a valid reason to stop the vehicle.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class B misdemeanor for refusing to exit vehicle during lawful stop, expanding criminalization without reform elements or accountability measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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