Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 1930: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires a person convicted of second degree murder by knowingly killing another to be sentenced as no lower than a Range II offender. - Amends TCA Section 39-13-210 and Title 40.

SB 1930 amends Tennessee law to require that anyone convicted of second-degree murder (specifically for knowingly killing another) receive a minimum sentence as a Range II offender. This means judges cannot sentence such offenders below the standard Range II sentencing level, though sentences could still fall within Range III if warranted. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals convicted of second-degree murder in Tennessee. It changes the sentencing minimum without altering the maximum penalties for this crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires minimum Range II sentencing for second-degree murder, restricting judicial discretion and increasing mandatory sentences per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1929: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, adds to the list of certain offenses required to be served at 100 percent of the sentence imposed by the court undiminished by any sentence reduction credits, the attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit those offenses. - Amends TCA Section 40-35-501.

SB 1929 requires individuals convicted of conspiracy, attempt, or solicitation to commit certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without reduction credits (like good time). It expands the existing list of offenses subject to this rule to include these preparatory acts for the same crimes already mandated to have full sentences. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying offenses that trigger the rule. This policy change affects people convicted of these specific preparatory acts for the designated crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands mandatory 100% sentencing without credits for conspiracy/attempt, restricting defendant rights and increasing punishment for preparatory acts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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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 23, 2026

SB 1573: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, adds the advisement or encouragement to commit suicide to the offense of assisted suicide under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1573 amends Tennessee's assisted suicide law to criminalize intentionally advising or encouraging another person to commit suicide within an imminent timeframe, provided the advisor knows the person has communicated suicidal intent. This directly affects individuals who verbally encourage suicide, expanding the offense beyond merely providing means or participating in the act. Key provisions require both knowledge of the person's suicidal intent and the intent to incite immediate suicide, with sentencing set as a Class D felony (Class C if the victim is a minor). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to acts committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding advising/encouraging suicide as a new offense, increasing criminal liability under criminal justice law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1633: Sentencing - As enacted, requires a sentencing court to order the sentences for two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim to run consecutively unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts of the case do not warrant the imposition of consecutive sentences and the imposition of consecutive sentences would not be in the best interest of justice. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 1633 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentences aren't warranted and wouldn't harm justice. This applies to all cases with multiple minor victims, regardless of whether the offenses occurred together. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors and sentencing courts, changing how they handle sentencing for these cases. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive sentences for multiple minor victim offenses, increasing sentencing severity and opposing criminal justice reform trends that reduce mandatory harsh penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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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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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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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1755: 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.

HB 1755 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone when warning flashers (like those on school buses) were active. This applies to all DUI convictions meeting both conditions, increasing the sentence beyond the standard penalty under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-401 and 55-10-402 to implement this change, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects drivers convicted of DUI in active school zone scenarios with operational warning lights. The provision does not apply to DUI offenses without these specific conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory 30-day jail sentence for DUI in school zones increases penalties, directly aligning with 'oppose' indicator of stricter sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1967: Sentencing - As enacted, enacts the "James Bardsley, Jr. Life Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

HB 1967 would increase penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a traffic accident in Tennessee. For accidents causing injury, the penalty would rise from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. For accidents where death occurred and the driver knew or should have known, the penalty would increase from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for hit-and-run causing injury/death to higher felony classifications, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights through harsher sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for hit-and-run accidents, enhancing transportation safety standards under traffic regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Vehicle Registration

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