Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 475: Sentencing - As introduced, reduces the percentage of sentence that a person convicted of first degree murder on or after July 1, 1995, and sentenced to life imprisonment is required to serve before becoming eligible for release from 100 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained to 60 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained; prohibits a defendant becoming eligible for parole before serving 25 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 25 years of age or younger at the time of the offense, or 30 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 26 years of age or older at the time of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 2 and Title 40.

SB 475 modifies Tennessee's sentencing rules for individuals convicted of first-degree murder after July 1, 1995, who receive life imprisonment. It reduces the required service for release eligibility from 100% of 60 years (60 years total) to 60% of 60 years (36 years), minus time earned for good behavior. However, it mandates a minimum 25-year sentence if the offender was under 25 at the time of the crime, or 30 years if 26 or older. This bill directly affects life-sentenced murder convicts in Tennessee, changing when they may become eligible for parole under specific age-based timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces required service time from 60 to 36 years for life-sentenced murder convicts, advancing sentencing reform by lowering mandatory minimums while maintaining age-based minimums.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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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 16, 2025

HJR 48: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee to expand the rights of victims of crimes. -

HJR 48 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand rights for crime victims in Tennessee. If approved by voters, it would guarantee victims specific protections including the right to receive notice of court proceedings, be present at trials, provide input during sentencing, receive restitution from offenders, and be informed of parole decisions. The amendment would require voter approval at the 2026 general election, as directed in the resolution. This is a proposed change to the state constitution, not an immediate law, and would not alter existing legal processes or create new lawsuits against the government.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victims' rights in court proceedings, sentencing, and parole, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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signed · Tennessee · House May 8, 2025

HB 1090: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to study the issues associated with constructing and operating a reentry facility that would house eligible inmates who are working toward return from incarceration into the community. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1090 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to study the challenges of building and operating reentry facilities for eligible inmates transitioning back into the community. The bill mandates that the department submit an annual report by February 1st detailing its findings. This law directly affects the Department of Correction, which must now conduct this study and report its results each year, without creating new facilities or changing inmate eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates study of reentry facilities to aid inmate community transition, directly supporting criminal justice reform by focusing on reducing recidivism through rehabilitation pathways.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1103: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," which requires the department to develop an early parole termination program for parolees meeting certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1103, "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create a program allowing eligible parolees to potentially end their parole supervision early. To qualify, parolees must maintain stable employment for six consecutive months, remain law-abiding with no violations or arrests, and complete all required rehabilitation programs. The program would use an earned time credit system similar to inmate sentence reductions, gradually reducing supervision over five years with biannual eligibility reviews. Parolees meeting all criteria could achieve early termination and full discharge from parole under guidelines set by the director of probation and parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires rehabilitation completion and stable employment for early parole, reducing recidivism through earned time credits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 1057: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," which requires the department to develop an early parole termination program for parolees meeting certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1057, "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," would create a program allowing parolees in Tennessee to earn early termination of supervision. To qualify, parolees must have stable employment for six months, no violations or arrests while on parole, and complete all required rehabilitation programs. The program would use an earned time credit system (similar to credits for inmates) to gradually reduce supervision, aiming for full parole discharge after five years. It directly affects parolees meeting these criteria and requires the Department of Correction to develop the program with annual eligibility reviews.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates earned time credits for parolees meeting rehabilitation/employment criteria, reducing supervision duration to lower recidivism and promote reintegration per bill's stated goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1346: Courts - As enacted, enacts the "Recovery Court Renewal Act." - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 32, Part 1.

HB 1346 would allow individuals with a prior DUI conviction (under §55-10-401) to petition for expungement of eligible criminal offenses after waiting at least 10 years from their conviction date. To qualify, petitioners must have fully paid all fines/restitution, completed probation or imprisonment, and not have prior expungements or multiple DUI convictions. The bill amends Tennessee's expungement law to create this specific pathway, effective July 1, 2025, if passed. It applies only to offenses eligible under existing expungement rules (§40-32-101(g)(1)) and limits petitions to one per person. The bill is currently under review by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows expungement of DUI convictions after 10 years, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to employment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1022: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands "law enforcement officer" to include a correctional officer employed by a county jail, the department of correction, or a private prison contractor and a probation or parole officer employed by the department of correction or a private probation provider for purposes of the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

SB 1022 expands Tennessee's assault law to protect additional public safety personnel by redefining "law enforcement officer" to include correctional officers working in county jails, state prisons, or private prisons, and probation/parole officers employed by the state or private providers. This change directly affects those officers by extending the legal protections of the assault offense statute to them, meaning assaulting them would now carry the same penalties as assaulting traditional law enforcement. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-116 to explicitly list these roles in the definition, removing ambiguity about their coverage. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing penalties for assault.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands assault law protections to include correctional and probation officers, strengthening legal safeguards for public safety personnel under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1218: Probation and Parole - As introduced, enacts the "Parole Relief and Opportunity Act"; expands the definition of hardship for purposes of determining the ability of a parolee to contribute to the cost of the person's supervision and release. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1218, known as the "Parole Relief and Opportunity Act," expands the definition of hardship for Tennessee parolees to include situations where a parolee’s income cannot cover basic household needs due to family responsibilities or when they’ve made reasonable efforts to find employment but still cannot meet those needs. The bill requires the parole department to waive financial contributions for parolees qualifying as experiencing hardship under this new standard. Parolees can request a review of their financial obligation when facing hardship, and if approved, they will not be required to pay fees until their circumstances improve. This directly affects parolees in Tennessee who face economic challenges during their supervision period.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands hardship definition for parolees, waiving financial contributions to reduce barriers to reintegration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 937: Election Laws - As introduced, establishes automatic restoration of voting rights for people who complete their sentence, including any parole or probationary period. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 937 automatically restores voting rights for Tennessee residents who complete all parts of their sentence, including parole or probation, for certain convictions. It directly affects people previously convicted of "infamous crimes" (as defined by Tennessee law) who have finished their sentences. The bill eliminates the need for court petitions by requiring election officials to restore voting rights upon receipt of a "certificate of final discharge" from supervision. It also creates new systems for election officials to track suspended registrations and automatically update voter eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically restores voting rights post-sentence for formerly incarcerated individuals, advancing reintegration and criminal justice reform by eliminating barriers to civic participation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Probation & Parole

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