HB 1704 would create two Class A misdemeanors in Tennessee: (1) intentionally failing to leave the state within 90 days after a final federal removal order, and (2) intentionally re-entering the state after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed by federal authorities. It directly affects undocumented immigrants subject to federal removal orders or denied entry, making certain immigration status violations criminal offenses. The bill requires courts to pause criminal proceedings until individuals exhaust all federal legal options to challenge the removal order. The law’s key provisions are conditional, with Section 2 (re-entry offense) only taking effect after specific federal court decisions or legislative changes affecting state immigration authority.
HB 1471 amends Tennessee law to change the definition of a "violent offender" for drug treatment court eligibility. It removes convictions for domestic assault (if not a felony) from being counted as a violent offense, instead requiring a felony conviction for certain acts within the previous 10 years. This change would allow more individuals with non-felony domestic assault convictions to qualify for drug treatment courts. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 1861 modifies Tennessee's probation rules for felony offenders who violate probation by committing a drug offense. For a first-time violation involving a drug offense, the bill requires judges to order substance abuse treatment instead of revoking probation and suspension of sentence. The law applies when a judge finds by "more likely than not" evidence that the violation occurred. This change aims to prioritize treatment over punishment for initial drug-related probation breaches.
SB 1686 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create a performance-based contracting program for entities operating state prison facilities. It ties 25% of each contractor's annual funding to yearly improvements on specific, measurable outcomes - including staff turnover rates, inmate safety metrics (like preventable deaths and sexual violence incidents), participation in rehabilitation programs, and post-release employment. Contractors must meet these targets to receive the full 25% payment; otherwise, the funds revert to the state general fund. The program must be implemented within six months, with quarterly audits by the comptroller to verify compliance and public reporting of results.
SB 1933 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to provide inmate records to any state legislator upon written request. Legislators must specify the inmate's name and sign a confidentiality agreement before reviewing records, which must remain in the department's possession during the review. The bill enables legislators to check whether correction laws are being followed for inmates in custody. It does not change existing laws but creates a process for legislative oversight of correctional compliance.
SB 1920 makes it a crime to use a phone or similar device with the intent to steal property without the owner's consent, such as through scams or fraudulent calls. It directly affects individuals who commit this type of theft using telecommunications. The bill sets a minimum penalty of a Class E felony (the least serious felony in Tennessee) for this offense, while still allowing for harsher punishment under existing theft laws. This creates a specific legal standard for "telecommunication fraud" as a form of theft.
SB 1678 increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents that cause death in Tennessee. The bill requires a mandatory minimum one-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine for drivers who knew or should have reasonably known death resulted from the accident. It amends Tennessee law to reclassify such offenses as a Class E felony, applying to incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2026. This directly affects drivers who flee the scene of fatal crashes without stopping.
SB 1900 increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in Tennessee by upgrading the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change mandates a $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence for assaulting police officers or other first responders, compared to the current $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum for assaulting nurses. The bill specifically amends Tennessee law to impose these stricter penalties for assaults on law enforcement, while keeping existing misdemeanor penalties for assaults on nurses. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers or first responders.
SB 1759 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to permanently retain a copy of each inmate's officially verified risk and needs assessment for the entire duration of their incarceration. This applies to all inmates under the department's supervision, mandating that these assessments be kept on file without expiration. The bill amends Tennessee law (Title 41) to establish this record-keeping requirement, ensuring consistent access to assessment data throughout an inmate's time in custody. It does not change assessment criteria, inmate programs, or release procedures - only the retention of existing assessment records.
HB 2040, introduced in Tennessee, would have created a new Class E felony for intentionally threatening a public official or their immediate family (defined as spouse, parent, sibling, child, or adoptive/step relationships). It required the threat to be communicated with knowledge of the target’s official role, intended as harm due to that role, and perceived as threatening by a reasonable person. The bill aimed to directly affect individuals making such threats against public officials or their families, imposing criminal penalties for these communications. However, the bill was withdrawn on February 2, 2026, and did not advance further.
