Criminal Justice

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 407: 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.

SB 407 changes how Tennessee restores voting rights after felony convictions. It removes the requirement for a governor's pardon, instead automatically restoring voting rights once a person completes their sentence (including probation or parole) for most felony convictions. The bill affects individuals with past felony convictions who were previously barred from voting without a pardon. However, voting rights remain restricted for those convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or certain violent sexual offenses, as specified in the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves governor's pardon requirement for voting rights restoration, automatically restoring rights after sentence completion for most felons, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and civil rights restoration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1038: Courts, Juvenile - As enacted, requires the administrative office of the courts to maintain a criminal justice information services compliant centralized statewide juvenile case management system; requires all juvenile court clerks to adopt and convert to the new juvenile case management system on a schedule to be determined in consultation with the administrative office of the courts; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16; Title 18 and Title 37.

HB 1038 requires all Tennessee juvenile court clerks to adopt a single, secure statewide system for managing juvenile case records. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) must maintain this system and set adoption timelines for courts. Juvenile courts must report case data monthly through this system, replacing older record-keeping methods. This affects every juvenile court clerk and the state’s court administration across all counties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires centralized juvenile case management system to improve data tracking and court efficiency, advancing transparency and reform in juvenile justice administration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 635: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, removes the killing of another committed in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, certain crimes from the elements of first degree murder; deletes the offense of criminal responsibility for conduct of another; deletes the offense of criminal responsibility for the facilitation of a felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 11; Title 39, Chapter 12; Title 39, Chapter 13; Title 39, Chapter 14; Title 40, Chapter 24; Title 40, Chapter 35 and Title 40, Chapter 39.

SB 635 removes specific legal provisions from Tennessee's criminal code. It deletes the rule that killing during certain crimes (like robbery) automatically qualifies as first-degree murder, and eliminates sections defining criminal responsibility for another person's actions or "facilitation" of felonies. These changes affect how murder charges are classified and defended in court, specifically removing three existing legal elements from the law. The bill does not create new policies but deletes existing provisions in Tennessee Code sections related to murder and criminal responsibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves automatic first-degree murder classification for certain crimes and deletes broad criminal responsibility provisions, reducing mandatory harsh sentencing and aligning with reform efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1363: Sentencing - As introduced, permits a person who is serving a sentence of incarceration of eight years or more for an offense committed prior to January 1, 2026, and who is a victim of domestic abuse subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the same family or household as the person to submit to the sentencing court, a request to apply for resentencing. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1363 allows individuals serving eight or more years in prison for a crime committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit documentation proving their sentence length, the crime's date, and the abuse, including two types of evidence (one from court records, police reports, or similar sources). If approved, the court may reduce their sentence, considering their prison behavior and participation in treatment programs, but not the original conviction. Requests can only be made starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows resentencing for domestic abuse victims to correct unjust sentences, promoting reform and protecting vulnerable individuals within sentencing framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 2, 2025

SB 304: 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.

SB 304 allows video recordings of children's interviews with forensic interviewers to be used as evidence in court for cases involving sexual or physical violence against children. The bill requires either the child or the forensic interviewer to swear under oath that the recording is accurate, and the child must be available for cross-examination. It also clarifies that interviews conducted by qualified professionals - such as those employed by accredited child advocacy centers or federal agencies - meet admissibility standards. This change directly affects child victims in criminal cases, streamlining evidence presentation while maintaining judicial safeguards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables admissible child victim interview videos as evidence with safeguards (sworn accuracy, cross-examination), reducing trauma while strengthening evidence handling in sexual/physical violence cases, aligning with victim-centered criminal ...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 1177: Expunction - As introduced, authorizes court clerks in certain counties to implement an automatic expunction processing program that initiates processing the expunction of public records without petition by the person, certification of eligibility from the TBI, or court order in certain limited circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 32.

SB 1177 allows court clerks in Tennessee counties with over 366,200 residents (like Nashville) to automatically expunge eligible criminal records without requiring individuals to file petitions or obtain court orders. It applies specifically to people qualifying for expungement under certain categories (e.g., dismissed charges or specific misdemeanor convictions) without cost. Court clerks would process these expungements directly, and other agencies must treat their notice as equivalent to a court order. This reduces barriers for eligible individuals in large counties by eliminating the need for them to navigate the traditional petition process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates expungement for eligible records (dismissed charges/misdemeanors), reducing barriers to employment/housing and advancing criminal justice reform by promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1217: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, adds the availability of services relating to housing as an issue that must be addressed in the orientation that the department is required to conduct before an inmate is released from confinement. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1217 amends Tennessee law to require the Department of Correction to address housing services during pre-release orientation for inmates. It updates existing provisions by replacing "education, employment" with "education, housing, employment" in the required orientation content. This change directly affects inmates transitioning from confinement and the Department of Correction, mandating they receive support related to housing stability. The bill focuses on concrete policy adjustments to improve post-release planning, without altering other aspects of the correctional process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds housing services to pre-release orientation, addressing a key reentry need to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates housing services in inmate pre-release orientation, directly supporting housing stability for transitioning individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 944: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires the department of mental health and substance abuse services to establish a mental health evaluation process for a community mental health center or qualified mental health professional to evaluate a defendant convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a court in which a person is convicted of any such offense to order the offender to undergo a mental health evaluation prior to the sentencing hearing. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 944 requires courts to order mental health evaluations for defendants convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, or aggravated cruelty to animals before sentencing. The evaluations must be conducted by community mental health centers or qualified professionals and are intended to inform sentencing decisions. This bill amends Tennessee law (Titles 33, 39, and 40) to establish this process, directly affecting individuals convicted of these specific offenses. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for the underlying crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health evaluations pre-sentencing for specific offenses to inform sentencing, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1081: Expunction - As introduced, lowers the period of time that must elapse after completion of the sentence imposed before a petitioner may have an eligible criminal offense expunged, for misdemeanors or Class E felonies, from five years to three years, and for Class D felonies, from 10 years to six years. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1081 shortens the waiting period for clearing certain criminal records in Tennessee. It reduces the required time from 5 years to 3 years for misdemeanors or Class E felonies, and from 10 years to 6 years for Class D felonies after completing a sentence. This change directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who seek to have their records expunged. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-32-101(g)(2)(B) and (k)(1)(C) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens expungement waiting periods, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for individuals with past convictions to clear records.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 241: Mental Illness - As introduced, requires the chief officer of an inpatient mental health treatment resource to notify the committing court if a patient who was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment becomes eligible for discharge; permits the court to hold a hearing to determine whether to order the person's return to the hospital under the original commitment or order the person's release from involuntary commitment in accordance with the recommendations of the chief officer. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 52.

SB 241 requires inpatient mental health facilities in Tennessee to notify the court that ordered a patient's involuntary commitment when the patient becomes eligible for discharge. The court can then hold a hearing within 21 days to decide whether to release the patient or return them to the hospital based on the facility's recommendation. This bill directly affects patients under involuntary commitment, mental health facilities, and the courts handling these cases. The law, set to take effect July 1, 2025, modifies existing procedures in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33, and Title 52.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires court review for involuntary mental health discharge, protecting patient rights and ensuring due process within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires court review for involuntary mental health discharge, ensuring patient rights and proper care transitions per facility recommendations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Hospitals

Track