Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2381: Expunction - As introduced, extends the time period within which a court ordering the expunction of a person's public records of a criminal offense must send a copy of the expunction order to the Tennessee bureau of investigation from 30 days to 45 days. - Amends TCA Section 8-21-401 and Title 40.

SB 2381 extends the deadline for Tennessee courts to notify the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) after ordering the expunction (sealing) of a criminal record, increasing the timeframe from 30 to 45 days. This change directly affects courts issuing expunction orders and the TBI, which must receive the notification within the new 45-day window. The bill amends specific provisions of Tennessee law (TCA Section 40-32-102(d)) to adjust this administrative process without altering eligibility for expunction. It focuses solely on streamlining the notification procedure for criminal record expungement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends deadline for court expunction notifications, facilitating record sealing - a key criminal justice reform to reduce barriers for individuals with past convictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2662: Safety, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts the “Oral-Fluid DUI Testing and Evidence-Based Enforcement Safeguards Act." - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 4.

SB 2662 establishes strict rules for using oral-fluid tests in DUI cases in Tennessee. It requires officers to document specific, observable driving-related reasons (not general suspicions) before administering tests, and mandates that screening results alone cannot be used as evidence for arrest or license suspension. The bill requires approved devices, proper calibration documentation, and a confirmatory lab test (using accredited methods) for any evidence to be admissible in court. It also guarantees defendants the right to independent lab testing of preserved samples and requires law enforcement to retain detailed records for three years or longer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires specific driving reasons for testing, prohibits screening results alone as evidence, and mandates confirmatory lab tests to protect defendant rights and ensure reliable evidence in DUI cases.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by requiring reliable evidence for DUI enforcement, preventing wrongful arrests and ensuring only valid cases proceed.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Driver Licensing Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2183: Elder Abuse - As introduced, extends from 10 to 20 days, the time within which a court must schedule a hearing on a petition to freeze the funds of a criminal defendant charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult involving the taking more than $5,000 of property while the criminal proceeding is pending for purposes of restitution to the victim. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15.

HB 2183 extends the deadline for courts to schedule hearings on motions to freeze a criminal defendant's funds in cases involving financial exploitation of elderly or vulnerable adults. The bill changes the timeframe from 10 to 20 days after a motion is filed, specifically for cases where the defendant took over $5,000 in property. This applies to criminal proceedings pending restitution for victims, giving courts more time to act before the hearing. The change directly affects courts handling these elder abuse cases and aims to streamline the process for returning assets to victims. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 39-15-502(c)(4) and is pending legislative action.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends court deadline for victim restitution in elder financial exploitation cases, ensuring timely recovery of funds for victims, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2253: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, prohibits a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for conduct that, if committed by an adult, would constitute the offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence from purchasing or possessing a firearm until the juvenile reaches 25; prohibits a person appropriately licensed by the federal government from selling a firearm to a person who is ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to any court order or under any law of this state; increases penalties for sexual exploitation of a minor offenses. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.

HB 2253 prohibits juveniles adjudicated delinquent for conduct that would be "threatening to commit an act of mass violence" if committed by an adult from purchasing or possessing firearms until age 25. It also requires federally licensed firearm sellers to verify buyers are not prohibited under court orders or state law. The bill increases penalties for sexual exploitation of minors by raising felony classifications: possession of 50+ images becomes a Class B felony (100+ is Class A), and distribution of 25+ images becomes a Class A felony. These changes amend Tennessee’s criminal code in Titles 37 and 39, effective July 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for sexual exploitation of minors by raising felony classifications, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2452: Expunction - As enacted, permits a court to expunge certain violent offenses for which a person has been pardoned; requires the court to consider, in weighing the best interests of justice and public safety, whether the offense sought to be expunged was violent and any other relevant factors presented by the petitioner and the district attorney general. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 2452 allows courts to clear certain violent criminal records from public view after a person receives a pardon. It directly affects individuals who were pardoned for violent offenses that previously could not be expunged under Tennessee law. The bill requires courts to weigh public safety and consider whether the offense was violent (including murder, aggravated kidnapping, or sexual offenses involving minors), along with other factors from both the petitioner and prosecutors. This changes prior rules that blocked expungement of violent offenses even after a pardon. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40 to enable this process while maintaining safeguards for public safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of pardoned violent offenses, aiding reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2201: Juvenile Offenders - As enacted, specifies that if a student is referred to juvenile court for being unlawfully absent from school and is ultimately adjudicated to be unruly, that the disposition made by the juvenile judge or magistrate may include the suspension of the student's driving privileges or ability to obtain a driver license for a period of up to one year. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 30 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

SB 2201 allows juvenile courts in Tennessee to suspend a student’s driving privileges or prevent them from obtaining a driver’s license for up to one year if the student is adjudicated "unruly" for unlawful school absences. This applies specifically to students referred to juvenile court for truancy and found unruly under Tennessee law. The bill amends existing statutes (TCA Title 37, 49, and 55) to add driving suspension as a permitted court disposition. It directly affects students facing juvenile court for truancy-related offenses, with the policy change taking effect July 1, 2026. The measure does not alter truancy reporting requirements but expands potential consequences for adjudicated cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds driving suspension for juvenile truancy, expanding criminalization of minor school absences beyond traditional court dispositions per TCA amendments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2144: Courts, Administrative Office of the - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Court Appearance Reminder Program Act." - Amends TCA Title 16 and Title 40.

HB 2144 establishes Tennessee's "Court Appearance Reminder Program Act," creating a statewide system to send automated reminders to defendants about upcoming court dates in criminal and traffic cases where they are not in custody. The program, administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts, automatically enrolls defendants who provide contact information (text as default) and sends at least three reminders before each court appearance, including one the day prior, with clear details on date, time, location, and consequences of missing. It is free for defendants, offers multilingual options, and includes virtual appearance links when applicable, while prohibiting the use of contact information for criminal investigations or bail decisions. The bill aims to reduce missed court appearances, lower unnecessary arrests and jail admissions, and improve judicial efficiency by addressing logistical barriers rather than altering penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomated court reminders reduce missed appearances, preventing unnecessary warrants/incarceration and aligning with reform goals to improve court efficiency and defendant compliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2376: Elder Abuse - As introduced, extends from 10 to 20 days, the time within which a court must schedule a hearing on a petition to freeze the funds of a criminal defendant charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult involving the taking more than $5,000 of property while the criminal proceeding is pending for purposes of restitution to the victim. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15.

SB 2376 extends the deadline for courts to schedule hearings on petitions to freeze a criminal defendant's funds in financial exploitation cases involving elderly or vulnerable adults. Specifically, it changes the timeframe from 10 to 20 days after a motion is filed, applying when defendants are accused of taking more than $5,000 in property. This affects courts handling these cases, victims seeking restitution, and defendants charged with financial exploitation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-15-502(c)(4) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends court deadline for restitution hearings in elder abuse cases, ensuring timely victim restitution - supports victim protection within criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2210: Courts - As enacted, requires the clerks of the criminal courts to provide the Tennessee sheriffs' association with all court data necessary for the administration of the criminal proceedings notification system. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 40 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 6.

SB 2210 increases the required notice period for victims registered in Tennessee's criminal proceedings notification system from 24 to 36 hours before any related hearing. This change directly affects victims who have registered to receive alerts about court proceedings involving their case. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-38-507(b)(1), to update the notice timeframe. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim notice period from 24 to 36 hours, strengthening victim protections in criminal proceedings per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2359: Evidence - As introduced, adds a rebuttable presumption that the criteria for a child victim to testify by two-way closed circuit television in a criminal matter involving certain offenses are met if the child is under 13 years of age. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 7 and Title 39.

SB 2359 modifies Tennessee law to create a rebuttable presumption that children under 13 years old would suffer significant emotional distress from testifying in court during criminal cases involving certain offenses, making it easier for judges to allow video testimony instead. The bill directly affects child victims under 13 in criminal trials, shifting the burden to the defense to prove the child wouldn’t be traumatized if testifying in person. Key provisions require judges to find that video testimony wouldn’t unduly prejudice the defendant before ordering it. The law amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 24-7-120 and 39, aiming to reduce trauma for young witnesses while maintaining defendant rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects child victims from trauma in court testimony, aligns with victim-centered criminal justice reform by presuming emotional distress for under-13s.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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