Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 1614: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires state and local criminal justice agencies to share all criminal justice data and records, including relevant personally identifying information and demographic information, held by that agency with a bona fide researcher for the purpose of facilitating and promoting criminal justice research. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 38.

SB 1614 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments, courts, and corrections) to share specific criminal justice data - including personal details like race, age, and arrest records - with approved researchers. The bill mandates sharing data on stops, arrests, sentencing, and corrections programs, but only to researchers who meet strict criteria (e.g., institutional review board approval and security protocols to protect privacy). Agencies cannot charge more than actual costs for data access, and this sharing does not count as public disclosure under existing laws. The law takes effect in 2026, with agencies required to implement it by 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires data sharing for research to promote evidence-based reform, aligning with support indicators like enhancing accountability through transparency in criminal justice practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Sentencing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1802: Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, lowers the standard for the use of deadly force to protect property. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 1802 amends Tennessee law to lower the standard for using deadly force when protecting property. It allows individuals to use deadly force against others committing trespass, arson, property damage (including livestock), burglary, theft, robbery, or animal cruelty if they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary and non-deadly force would risk death or serious injury to themselves or others. The bill explicitly prohibits using deadly force against someone facing away from the defender. This directly affects property owners and residents defending their homes or belongings against certain criminal acts. The law changes existing self-defense protections by expanding the circumstances where deadly force is permitted for property protection.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers threshold for deadly force in property disputes, expanding circumstances where lethal force is permitted, opposing reform efforts to reduce excessive force in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

Track

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

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1945: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, allows the court to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order the defendant held without bail for no more than 10 days pending a bail revocation hearing if the defendant violates a condition of release, is charged with an offense committed during the defendant's release, or engages in conduct that results in the obstruction of the orderly and expeditious progress of the trial. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 11.

SB 1945 amends Tennessee's bail laws to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order them held without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new offense while released, or disrupt trial proceedings. This directly affects defendants who are already on bail but breach their release terms. The bill requires courts to issue a written order and schedule a hearing before imposing the temporary hold, with a separate hearing needed for permanent bond revocation. The change modifies existing procedures under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 11, without creating new offenses or penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant rights by enabling temporary detention without bail for violations, opposing reform efforts to reduce pretrial detention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1551: Driver Licenses - As enacted, requires the department of correction to coordinate with the department of safety to provide a driver license to certain inmates who are discharged from imprisonment and who intend to reside in this state; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Section 41-51-301 and Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3.

HB 1551 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to coordinate with the Department of Safety to provide driver licenses to inmates discharged after serving felony sentences who had a valid license before incarceration and plan to live in Tennessee. It automatically extends the expiration date of an inmate's driver license by six months if it expired during incarceration or within six months after release. The bill clarifies that a license expired solely due to incarceration is considered "in good standing," and inmates without valid licenses may receive a photo ID license instead. This policy directly affects released felons who held valid licenses prior to imprisonment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFacilitates reentry by providing driver licenses to released felons, reducing barriers to employment and community integration, aligning with recidivism reduction goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2023: Victims' Rights - As enacted, authorizes a court clerk to increase the victims assistance assessment from $45 to $125, with the first $15 of each assessment being paid to the court clerk for processing and handling and the remaining amount being transmitted to the county in which the offense occurred for the exclusive use of the victims assistance program previously designated by the county legislative body. - Amends TCA Section 40-24-109.

HB 2023 increases the victims assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to criminal offenses in Tennessee courts. The first $15 of the fee goes to the court clerk for processing costs, while the remaining $110 is directed to county-designated victim assistance programs. This change applies to all criminal cases where a defendant enters a guilty plea, is found guilty, enters a nolo contendere plea, or is found criminally responsible for qualifying offenses. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-24-109, to implement this funding shift without altering eligibility for victim services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases victims' assessment fee to fund county victim assistance programs, directly allocating $110 per case to public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim assistance funding from $45 to $125, directing $110 to county victim programs, directly strengthening victims' rights within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2113: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates an offense to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess any compound, liquid, gas, or chemical that contains nitrous oxide. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7; Title 63 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10.

SB 2113 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or amyl nitrite ("poppers"), directly affecting individuals who use these substances recreationally. Exceptions include medical prescriptions, manufacturing/industrial use, food preparation, or personal use by those aged 21+ (with flavoring creating a presumption against these exemptions). Businesses selling nitrous oxide illegally face license suspension for first violations and revocation for second violations. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with courts able to require drug rehabilitation as a probation condition.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes recreational nitrous oxide use as Class A misdemeanor, expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

Track

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

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 1938: Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, prohibits this state or a local government from entering into a new contract or renewing an existing contract for the provision of correctional services for an inmate under the custody and care of the department of correction or the local government. - Amends TCA Title 41, Chapter 24.

HB 1938 prohibits Tennessee state agencies and local governments (counties, cities, or metropolitan governments) from entering new contracts or renewing existing contracts for private prisons. It directly affects entities currently using private facilities to house inmates under the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction or local governments. The bill amends Tennessee law to ban all new or renewed agreements for correctional services or facilities for these inmates, effective upon enactment. This bill is currently pending in the State & Local Government Committee after being introduced in early 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans private prison contracts, advancing criminal justice reform by ending for-profit incarceration and promoting public oversight of correctional facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 1539: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates an offense to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess any compound, liquid, gas, or chemical that contains nitrous oxide. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7; Title 63 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10.

HB 1539 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or amyl nitrite ("poppers"), except for medical use, food service (as a propellant), manufacturing, or use by adults 21+ for personal or automotive purposes. The bill includes specific exceptions, such as prescriptions from medical professionals and food industry use, but labels or added flavors create a presumption against these exceptions. Businesses selling these substances face penalties, including 30-day license suspensions for first violations and revocation for second offenses. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for nitrous oxide use, expanding criminalization without reform elements or protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track