Criminal Justice

passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2335: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the offense of aggravated criminal trespass to include trespassing that results in the disruption of a religious assembly, which is a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 2335 amends Tennessee's aggravated criminal trespass law to specifically include disrupting a religious assembly within a building on property as a punishable offense. It directly affects individuals who enter or remain on property without consent and disrupt religious gatherings, such as protests or services inside a place of worship. The key provision adds a new subsection (D) to the trespass definition, stating that disrupting a religious assembly while on the property constitutes aggravated criminal trespass. This change elevates the offense to a Class A misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties of up to 11 months in jail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding disruption of religious assemblies to aggravated trespass, increasing penalties for protest-related activities without reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2420: Sentencing - As introduced, reduces the time within which a sentencing hearing must be held from within 45 days after a finding of guilt to within 30 days after the finding of guilt. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 2420 (Tennessee) shortens the deadline for holding sentencing hearings in criminal cases from 45 days to 30 days after a guilty verdict. This change directly affects defendants convicted of crimes and the state court system, requiring faster scheduling of sentencing. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections in Titles 38, 39, and 40 to implement this timeline reduction. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens sentencing hearing timeline from 45 to 30 days, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce delays and improve system efficiency without restricting rights or increasing sentences.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2395: Privacy, Confidentiality - As introduced, enacts the "Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act"; creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for officers, employees, or contractors of a state agency or local governmental entity that is required by law to be issued a warrant prior to obtaining personal information or sensitive data about an individual to knowingly purchase, license, or otherwise obtain the personal information or sensitive data from a controller in lieu of the warrant requirement. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 39 and Title 47.

SB 2395, titled the "Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act," prohibits state and local government employees or contractors from purchasing or licensing personal data instead of obtaining a warrant to access an individual's information. It creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for violations, directly affecting government officials who handle personal data under existing warrant requirements. Key exceptions include emergencies (like life-threatening situations), consent from the individual, or federal law mandates. The law amends multiple Tennessee code sections to enforce this requirement, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits government from bypassing warrants for personal data access, requiring judicial oversight to protect civil rights and enhance law enforcement accountability under Fourth Amendment.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits government from purchasing personal data without warrant, strengthening privacy protections by enforcing Fourth Amendment requirements for data access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2352: Court Rules - As enacted, requires each juvenile court, through the juvenile court clerk or juvenile court staff, each month within the statewide juvenile case management system prescribed by the administrative office of the courts to report to the administrative office of the courts each new dependency and neglect case, including for each child named in the petition, certain information. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 1.

HB 2352 restricts access to juvenile court records in delinquency and unruly proceedings to specific court personnel, prosecutors, and public defenders when handling cases involving children. It amends Tennessee law to require that only judges, court staff, district attorneys, and public defenders may view these records while performing official duties related to child cases. The bill explicitly prohibits unauthorized disclosure of this information, reinforcing confidentiality protections for minors in juvenile court matters. This change directly affects minors involved in juvenile court cases and ensures their records are only accessible to authorized legal professionals handling their cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts juvenile court record access to protect minors' privacy, reinforcing confidentiality in criminal justice proceedings per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2312: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, clarifies that the criminal offense of knowingly accessing a communication or computer system for the purpose of fraud or theft includes accessing a cloud computing service. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 10; Title 35; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 45; Title 47; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67 and Title 71.

HB 2312 clarifies that Tennessee's criminal law against accessing computer systems for fraud or theft explicitly includes cloud computing services. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-14-602(a)(1) to add "cloud computing service" to the list of protected systems, alongside existing terms like computer networks and data. This directly affects individuals attempting to commit fraud or theft by accessing cloud-based accounts or services. The bill makes it a criminal offense to knowingly access such services for illicit purposes, updating existing computer crime statutes to address modern digital infrastructure. The bill is currently pending in committee as a proposed law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies criminal law to include cloud services for fraud, strengthening legal framework for prosecuting cybercrime under Tennessee's criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyClarifies cloud services as protected under criminal law for fraud/theft, strengthening data security and privacy protections against unauthorized access to cloud systems.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2373: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, specifies that a jailer's authorization to evaluate a person confined in the county jail for purposes of the person's care includes evaluating the person's need for medical attention. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8, Chapter 8; Title 29; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2373 amends Tennessee law to explicitly require county jailers to assess inmates' need for medical attention as part of their routine evaluations. This directly affects jailers and all individuals confined in county jails, ensuring medical needs are formally considered during care and classification. The key change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-4-103(b) to add "medical attention" to the list of purposes for which jailers may evaluate confined persons. The bill does not create new funding or penalties but clarifies existing authority to improve medical oversight in local detention facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires jailers to formally assess medical needs for inmates, improving correctional care standards and aligning with criminal justice reform principles focused on humane treatment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates jailers to formally evaluate inmates' medical needs, ensuring healthcare access in correctional facilities per TCA §41-4-103(b).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2468: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes revisions to law relative to offenses occurring at a house of worship. - Amends TCA Title 29 and Title 39.

SB 2468 requires Tennessee courts to impose a mandatory fine equal to at least twice the cost of property damage or restoration when vandalism occurs at a house of worship (like a church, synagogue, or mosque). This applies specifically to sentencing for vandalism offenses committed at these locations, directly affecting both the convicted individual and the affected house of worship. The bill amends Tennessee criminal code to add this penalty as part of the sentence, overriding standard sentencing guidelines for such cases. It takes effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates doubled fines for vandalism at houses of worship, increasing sentencing severity per TCA amendments, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2372: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes revisions to the offense of adulteration of food, liquids, or pharmaceuticals. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 57.

SB 2372 expands Tennessee's criminal code to treat adulterating food, drinks, or pharmaceuticals with intent to cause involuntary intoxication as a Class D felony. It directly affects individuals who intentionally spike beverages to incapacitate others and requires bars, restaurants, and alcohol licensees to provide free, rapid drug testing devices for customers to check suspected spiked drinks. The bill mandates that testing devices detect at least 10 controlled substances and 2 date rape drugs within 5 minutes, must be readily available upon request, and must be posted prominently. Licensees are protected from liability for inaccurate test results. This law aims to address beverage tampering by imposing felony penalties and creating a safety mechanism for patrons at alcohol-serving venues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class D felony for spiking drinks and mandates testing devices to prevent victimization, enhancing legal protections against a specific criminal act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2165: Local Government, General - As introduced, deletes the provision that classifies a local government official's affirmative vote for adoption of a prohibited sanctuary policy as a Class E felony. - Amends TCA Title 7 and Title 8.

HB 2165 removes a criminal penalty for local government officials in Tennessee who vote to adopt "prohibited sanctuary policies." Specifically, it deletes language classifying such a vote as a Class E felony under Tennessee law (TCA § 7-68-103(b)) and removes references to subsequent conviction in related statutes (TCA § 7-68-104(e)). This bill directly affects local elected officials, such as mayors or city council members, who previously faced potential felony charges for supporting certain sanctuary policies. The change modifies existing state code to eliminate this specific criminal penalty, focusing solely on the legal text rather than creating new policy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes felony penalty for local officials supporting sanctuary policies, reducing criminalization and aligning with reform principles of decriminalization.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves felony penalty for local officials adopting sanctuary policies, which limit state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2373: County Government - As introduced, creates a supplemental pay incentive program for local correctional officers who receive 40 hours or more of in-service training per calendar year. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1 and Title 41.

HB 2373 creates a $800 annual bonus for full-time, certified county correctional officers in Tennessee who complete at least 40 hours of approved in-service training each year. The bill requires counties to provide this supplemental payment on top of regular salaries, not as a replacement for existing pay or raises. Officers must have worked at least eight months for the county (with exceptions for military service, retirement, or disability) to qualify. The funds must be used solely as a training bonus and cannot be applied to future salary calculations or retirement benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds $800 annual bonus for correctional officers completing 40+ hours in-service training, enhancing professional development and safety in corrections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds $800 annual bonus for correctional officers meeting training requirements, enhancing compensation without replacing base pay.95% confidence

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