Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 673: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, enacts the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act." - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 673, the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act," requires judges sentencing defendants for assault offenses to mandate completion of certified batterer's intervention programs (minimum 26 weeks, 3+ hours per session, max 6:1 counselor ratio) or drug/alcohol treatment as part of alternative sentencing. It directly affects individuals convicted of assault who receive alternative sentences, requiring them to complete these programs fully without shortening the term via plea agreements. The bill also adds new requirements for defendants in certain violations to attend violence-focused counseling and mandates 12+ hours yearly domestic violence training for judges and court staff. These provisions take effect July 1, 2025, and do not change assault definitions but alter sentencing conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates batterer's intervention and treatment programs for assault offenders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through structured sentencing requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 1026: Expunction - As introduced, permits the expunction of a Class E felony conviction for official misconduct. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 32.

HB 1026 would allow individuals convicted of a Class E felony for official misconduct to have their court records permanently removed. This specifically affects people who committed such offenses while serving in public office or as government employees (e.g., police officers or public officials). The bill amends Tennessee law to create a new process for expunging these records, making them inaccessible to the public and most employers. It does not change sentencing or apply to other types of crimes. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee's Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of official misconduct convictions, reducing barriers to employment and supporting rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1111: Sentencing - As introduced, requires a local community corrections advisory board to provide its annual report to the county legislative body on the progress of community corrections programs by February 1 of each year. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1111 requires local community corrections advisory boards in Tennessee counties to submit annual reports on the progress of community corrections programs to their county legislative bodies by February 1 each year. This bill directly affects county-level community corrections advisory boards and county legislative bodies by establishing a mandatory reporting timeline. The key provision is the February 1 deadline for these reports, which aims to increase transparency and oversight of community corrections initiatives. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee Code related to criminal sentencing to implement this requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual transparency reporting for community corrections programs, enhancing oversight and accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 959: Sentencing - As introduced, permits a person who is serving a sentence of incarceration of eight years or more for an offense committed prior to January 1, 2026, and who is a victim of domestic abuse subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the same family or household as the person to submit to the sentencing court, a request to apply for resentencing. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 959 allows individuals serving 8+ years in prison for crimes committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) inflicted by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit court records, police reports, or other verified evidence proving their abuse history and current sentence eligibility. Courts will review prison program participation (like domestic violence counseling) and abuse history but cannot reconsider the original conviction. If approved, the court may reduce the sentence while crediting time already served.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows resentencing for domestic abuse victims serving long sentences, reducing harsh penalties and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to address trauma-driven offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 720: 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.

HB 720 changes sentencing rules for people convicted of first-degree murder after July 1, 1995, who receive life sentences. It reduces the required service time before eligibility for parole from 100% of 60 years (minus sentence credits) to 60% of 60 years (minus credits), while setting a minimum service period: 25 years if the offender was 25 or younger at the crime, or 30 years if 26 or older. This directly affects individuals sentenced to life imprisonment for first-degree murder under these conditions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, for offenses committed on or after July 1, 1995.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces required service time for parole eligibility (from 100% to 60% of 60 years), aligning with criminal justice reform by easing sentencing for life-locked individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1182: Sentencing - As introduced, requires a local community corrections advisory board to provide its annual report to the county legislative body on the progress of community corrections programs by February 1 of each year. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1182 requires local community corrections advisory boards in Tennessee to submit an annual report to their county legislative body by February 1 each year, detailing progress on community corrections programs. This bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 8, 16, 37, 39, 40, and 41) to establish this reporting requirement. The bill directly affects community corrections advisory boards and county legislative bodies by mandating a standardized annual update on program effectiveness. It does not change sentencing laws or program content, only the reporting process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on community corrections program progress, enhancing transparency and accountability in sentencing/rehabilitation efforts per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 300: Sentencing - As enacted, generally requires a person convicted of a Class A misdemeanor in general sessions court to pay for and complete a cognitive behavioral training course; requires the offender to provide proof of course completion to the court or the court’s designee within the time period specified by the court. - Amends TCA Section 40-35-302.

SB 300 requires individuals convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee general sessions court to complete a cognitive behavioral training course. Offenders must pay for the course (capped at $100), provide proof of completion to the court within a court-specified timeframe, and face up to 10 days in jail for willful failure to comply. The course must be accessible online, multilingual, include human interaction, and provide a completion certificate within 72 hours. This bill directly affects misdemeanor offenders and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires cognitive behavioral training for misdemeanants to reduce recidivism, aligns with rehabilitation-focused reform, and mandates accessible program design.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 1089: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires the department of mental health and substance abuse services to establish a mental health evaluation process for a community mental health center or qualified mental health professional to evaluate a defendant convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a court in which a person is convicted of any such offense to order the offender to undergo a mental health evaluation prior to the sentencing hearing. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1089 requires courts to order mental health evaluations for defendants convicted of specific abuse-related crimes - including domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, or cruelty to animals - before sentencing. The law directs Tennessee's Department of Mental Health to create a process where community mental health centers or qualified professionals conduct these evaluations. It directly affects defendants in these cases and the state's mental health evaluation system, adding a pre-sentencing step to assess potential mental health factors. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-14-202 and related titles to implement this requirement, effective May 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mental health evaluations for abuse offenders pre-sentencing to address root causes and improve rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates court-ordered mental health evaluations for abuse offenders, expanding access to mental health services through legal system integration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce Substance Abuse