Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 1656: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a firefighter, emergency services personnel, or other person who responds to calls for emergency assistance from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 30-day sentence and $5,000 fine to a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum 60-day sentence and $10,000 fine. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1656 increases penalties for assaulting firefighters, emergency services personnel, or other first responders who answer emergency calls. It changes the offense from a Class A misdemeanor (with a 30-day minimum jail term and $5,000 fine) to a Class E felony (with a 60-day minimum sentence and $10,000 fine). The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39 and 40 and will take effect on July 1, 2026. This change specifically targets individuals who commit violence against emergency personnel during their duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences and fines for assaulting first responders, expanding criminalization of assault against emergency personnel per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 1607: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

SB 1607 changes the penalty for assaulting a first responder or law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. It requires a mandatory $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence with no early release for such offenses. The bill also establishes a separate penalty for assaulting a nurse, which would be a Class A misdemeanor with a $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum sentence. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting first responders to felony level with mandatory fines/sentences, expanding criminalization and reducing judicial discretion per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1764: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, removes the limitation on the penalty for illegally possessing a telecommunication device in a penal institution that required the Class E felony to be punished by a fine only. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1764 amends Tennessee law to change the penalty for illegally possessing a telecommunication device (like a cell phone) in a prison or jail. Currently, this offense is classified as a Class E felony but must be punished by a fine only. The bill removes that restriction, allowing standard Class E felony penalties - including potential jail time - to apply. This change directly affects individuals convicted of this offense in Tennessee's penal institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves fine-only restriction for prison cell phone possession, enabling jail time and increasing penalties for a non-violent offense, expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 1941: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a firefighter, emergency services personnel, or other person who responds to calls for emergency assistance from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 30-day sentence and $5,000 fine to a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum 60-day sentence and $10,000 fine. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1941 increases penalties for assaulting firefighters, emergency responders, and others providing emergency assistance while they are responding to calls. It changes the offense from a Class A misdemeanor (30-day minimum jail term and $5,000 fine) to a Class E felony (60-day minimum jail term and $10,000 fine). The bill amends Tennessee law to require these mandatory sentences and fines for such assaults, applying directly to anyone who physically harms emergency personnel during their duties. This change specifically targets violent acts against those on the front lines of emergencies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for assaults on emergency responders, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and expanded criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1765: Probation and Parole - As introduced, permits a trial judge to revoke a defendant's probation for a felony or misdemeanor based on one instance of technical violation; extends the permitted terms of incarceration a court may impose for a technical violation to 90 days for a first revocation, 180 days for a second revocation, and the remainder of the sentence for a third or subsequent revocation. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 1765 allows Tennessee trial judges to revoke probation for felony or misdemeanor offenders based solely on a "technical violation" (like missing a check-in or failing a drug test), without requiring a new crime. For first or second revocations, judges can impose up to 90 or 180 days in jail, respectively; third or subsequent revocations may result in the full remaining sentence. The bill explicitly excludes new criminal offenses from this process, requiring separate handling under existing rules. It defines "technical violation" as breaking probation terms without committing a new crime, and offers community-based alternatives for resentence. This changes how courts handle probation breaches, focusing on minor rule violations rather than new offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands incarceration for technical probation violations (e.g., missed check-ins), increasing mandatory jail terms without new crimes, restricting defendant rights and opposing reform efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 1779: Immigration - As enacted, creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally failing or refusing to depart when a final order of removal is outstanding; creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally entering, attempting to enter, or being found in this state after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed from the United States. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1779 creates two new Class A misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee related to immigration status. It makes it illegal for individuals with a final removal order to remain in the state beyond 90 days without departing, and for those previously denied entry, deported, or removed to re-enter the state without federal consent. The bill would impose penalties including up to 11 months in jail for these violations, with courts required to stay criminal proceedings if the person is still challenging the federal removal order through legal channels. The law’s implementation is delayed until after a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturns *Arizona v. United States* (2012) or federal law explicitly allows states to determine unlawful presence, with full effect scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for immigration status violations, imposing jail time and expanding criminalization of immigration matters, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanding criminalization.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates Class A misdemeanors for immigrants with removal orders or denied entry, imposing jail time and increasing state enforcement against undocumented individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1819: Sentencing - As introduced, increases the penalty for failing to stop at the scene of an accident when the person knew or should reasonably have known that death resulted from the accident by requiring a mandatory period of confinement of not less than one year and a minimum fine of $10,000. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

HB 1819 increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents resulting in death by making it a Class E felony. Drivers who fail to stop after causing a fatal accident - when they knew or should have known death occurred - face a mandatory minimum of one year in jail and a $10,000 fine. The bill amends Tennessee laws in Titles 39 (criminal procedure), 40 (transportation), and 55 (vehicle regulations) to implement these stricter penalties. It will take effect on July 1, 2026, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentencing for hit-and-run fatalities, expanding criminal penalties under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 1678: Sentencing - As introduced, increases the penalty for failing to stop at the scene of an accident when the person knew or should reasonably have known that death resulted from the accident by requiring a mandatory period of confinement of not less than one year and a minimum fine of $10,000. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates mandatory minimum sentence for hit-and-run causing death, increasing punitive measures without reform elements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1900: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for assaulting a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $5,000 and a mandatory minimum of 30 days incarceration to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum of 60 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for assaulting first responders, upgrading to felony with harsher penalties (60-day minimum vs. 30-day), opposing criminal justice reform trends.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 1658: DUI Offenses - As introduced, adds a 30-day mandatory minimum period of incarceration for persons convicted of driving under the influence if, at the time of the offense, the person was within a marked school zone and a warning flasher or flashers were in operation. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

SB 1658 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI (driving under the influence) who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone with active warning flashers. This applies to anyone convicted of a DUI offense meeting those specific conditions, increasing their sentence beyond the standard penalty. The 30-day minimum must be served in addition to any other jail time for the DUI conviction. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds mandatory 30-day jail for DUI in school zones, increasing penalties beyond standard sentences - aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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