HB 1980 amends Tennessee's bail law to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and hold them without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new crime while out, or obstruct court proceedings. This temporary hold requires a written court order and a hearing within the 10-day period. If violations are confirmed at the hearing, the court may permanently revoke bail, requiring the defendant to remain in custody until trial. The bill directly affects defendants released on bail who breach their conditions, changing existing procedures for managing such cases.
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.
SB 1717 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly violate a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole conditions following a conviction for a domestic abuse offense. It directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse crimes who break court-ordered no contact restrictions with the alleged victim. The bill amends Tennessee law to expand the scope of violations to include post-conviction orders (not just pre-trial) and clarifies that violations apply when the alleged victim is defined as a domestic abuse victim under state law. This change takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 2138 requires that individuals convicted of vehicular homicide caused by intoxication **and** leaving the scene of the accident (a hit-and-run) be sentenced as a minimum "Range II" offender under Tennessee law. This bill directly affects people facing dual convictions for these specific traffic-related crimes. The key provision mandates that the sentencing range for vehicular homicide cannot be set below the second-lowest tier (Range II) if the person is also convicted of fleeing the scene. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-13-213, 40-20-102, and 55-10-101.
HB 1547 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments and courts) to share specific criminal justice data with qualified researchers. This includes personal details, demographic information, and records about stops, arrests, sentencing, and supervision programs. To qualify, researchers must have institutional review board approval, agree to use data only for research, and maintain strict security protocols to protect sensitive information. The bill does not make data publicly available but creates a formal process for researchers to access it for studies aimed at improving criminal justice outcomes. Agencies must comply by January 2027, though they may charge reasonable fees for data retrieval.
SB 2099 establishes Tennessee's statewide "Court Appearance Reminder Program" to reduce missed court appearances. It requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to automatically send free text, email, or mail reminders (at least three total, including one the day before) to defendants with upcoming out-of-custody criminal or traffic court dates. The program must use plain language, include court details and consequences of missing, allow opt-out, and provide post-missed-appearance guidance. It includes strict privacy protections (contact info cannot be used for investigations or bail decisions) and mandates data collection to evaluate effectiveness.
SB 1950 modifies Tennessee's driver license rules to allow certain individuals to obtain a for-hire endorsement for Class D vehicles. It specifically waives the standard two-year unrestricted driving requirement for applicants who: (1) completed a sentence of incarceration for an offense, (2) currently hold a restricted license due to unpaid fines/court costs, and (3) are making payments under a court-approved plan. This change directly affects people with past convictions who are resolving financial obligations through structured payment plans. The bill does not alter other eligibility criteria like age, vehicle type, or character requirements.
HB 1771 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to conduct annual education assessments for inmates serving felony sentences. These assessments determine each inmate's current education level and interest in continuing or advancing their studies. The department must then provide written notice within 90 days of the assessment about available educational programs and opportunities. The law applies to all felony inmates confined in state facilities and takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2014, the "Tennessee Women's Childbirth Alternatives, Resources, and Education Act" (Trixtian's Law), protects pregnant and postpartum individuals in Tennessee's criminal justice system. It prohibits using pregnancy-related medical information (like test results or treatment disclosures) as evidence in criminal cases and prevents criminal charges based on pregnancy outcomes. The bill requires correctional facilities to report annual data on incarcerated pregnant people, births, and health outcomes while maintaining confidentiality, and mandates expeditious transfers for pregnant individuals to state custody. It also grants immunity to facilities for pregnancy outcomes and ensures pregnancy testing access within 72 hours.
HB 1624 makes knowingly violating a no-contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole for certain domestic abuse-related crimes a Class A misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals convicted of offenses where the alleged victim was a domestic abuse victim under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code to clarify that violations of such orders - whether issued before release on bond or as part of sentencing - constitute a specific criminal offense. This changes the legal consequence from a general probation breach to a defined misdemeanor charge, effective July 1, 2026.
