Criminal Justice

signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1450: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, makes various changes related to entities seeking to secure the release of a defendant. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1450 restricts who can post bail for defendants in Tennessee. It prohibits most organizations (not including the defendant, their family, legal guardian, employer, or licensed bail bondsmen) from posting bail security for more than three defendants in a single year or for the same defendant more than once per year. Entities seeking to post bail must first obtain approval under new requirements. The bill amends Tennessee law to clarify definitions (like "family" including third-degree relatives and household members) and limits non-licensed entities from operating bail services. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts non-licensed entities from bail posting, aligning with reform efforts to limit commercial bail practices and reduce systemic exploitation in pretrial release systems.85% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 108: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, reduces from 10 to five business days after a death, the time within which the commissioner must report the death of a person in custody to members of the general assembly representing the legislative districts where the deceased person resided; requires that the information contained in the report include the name of the department facility where the death occurred. - Amends TCA Title 4.

SB 108 shortens the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Correction to report deaths in custody from 10 to five business days after the death. It requires reports to include the facility name and be sent to the state senator and representative representing the deceased person's last Tennessee home address. The bill applies only to deaths of people who resided in Tennessee and takes effect July 1, 2025. This change aims to improve transparency for legislators representing affected communities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens reporting deadline for custody deaths to improve legislative transparency and oversight in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

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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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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1268: Courts - As enacted, enacts the "Violent Criminal Court Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 10; Title 16; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 55.

HB 1268 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to submit its annual report on narcotics investigations to specific legislative committees by February 15 each year, instead of the previous unspecified annual deadline. The bill amends Tennessee law (specifically Titles 8, 10, 16, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 55) to update the submission date and clarify which committees receive the report (the House committee with jurisdiction over criminal justice and the Senate Judiciary Committee). This change directly affects the TBI's narcotics division and the legislative committees responsible for oversight. The bill modifies reporting procedures without altering the content or scope of the investigations themselves.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires TBI narcotics investigation reports to legislative committees by fixed date, enhancing oversight transparency in criminal justice operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 406: Orders of Protection - As enacted, expands the courts in Shelby County that can hear a petition for an order of protection to include a criminal court when the criminal court is hearing a criminal matter involving a domestic abuse victim, sexual assault victim, or stalking victim; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 18 and Title 36.

SB 406 expands which Tennessee courts in Shelby County can handle petitions for orders of protection. It allows criminal courts to process these petitions when the same court is already hearing a related criminal case involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victims. This change eliminates the need for victims to seek protection orders in a separate court, streamlining the process while the criminal case is active. The bill directly affects survivors of these specific crimes in Shelby County who are navigating both criminal and protection proceedings. The law took effect on April 24, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands court access for victims of domestic abuse/sexual assault/stalking, reducing bureaucratic barriers and improving victim access to protection orders within active criminal cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 601: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, makes various changes regarding global positioning monitoring and the pretrial release of certain defendants. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

SB 601 updates Tennessee's pretrial release rules for defendants using global positioning monitoring systems. It defines "qualified contract service providers" (companies managing GPS monitoring), requiring them to have 24/7 monitoring centers, written court protocols, and notify emergency dispatchers if defendants violate bond conditions. The bill also creates a process where courts must hold hearings within 10 days if defendants fall behind on monitoring costs, with options to revoke bond, require payment, or seek alternative funding (excluding local sheriff's departments). This directly affects defendants on monitored pretrial release, victims receiving alerts, courts imposing conditions, and private GPS monitoring companies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes standards for GPS monitoring in pretrial release, requires due process hearings for non-payment of costs, and protects defendant rights - aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 833: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement officer who becomes aware that an order of protection has been entered against a person in the officer’s presence but has not been served on the person to take appropriate steps to facilitate service of the order of protection, including notifying the sheriff’s department of the person’s immediate location; requires the curriculum of the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission to include instruction on such requirements. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6; Title 38 and Title 40.

SB 833 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to help serve orders of protection when they witness one being entered but the person hasn't been served. Specifically, officers must notify the sheriff's department of the person's location and other helpful details to facilitate service. The bill also mandates that the state's peace officer training curriculum include instruction on these requirements. This applies directly to law enforcement officers and sheriff's departments, aiming to improve enforcement of existing protection orders under Tennessee law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to facilitate service of protection orders, enhancing victim safety and officer accountability in enforcement procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 931: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, specifies that a person using force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury from within the person's residence or dwelling is presumed to have acted in self-defense when that force is used against an individual armed with a deadly weapon who is unlawfully present on the person's property and outside of the enclosed structure of the person's residence or dwelling. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 11 and Title 40.

HB 931 amends Tennessee law to create a legal presumption that a homeowner acted in self-defense when using force likely to cause death or serious injury against an armed intruder. This presumption applies specifically when the intruder is unlawfully on the property (but outside the main home structure) and armed with a deadly weapon. The bill directly affects homeowners who use force against such intruders, shifting the burden to prosecutors to disprove self-defense in these scenarios. It does not change general self-defense rules but adds this specific presumption for armed intruders on property outside the home's enclosed structure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal presumption for homeowners using force against armed intruders, shifting burden to prosecutors - strengthens defendant rights in self-defense cases.90% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 254: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, requires a defendant who is ordered to wear a transdermal monitoring device or alternative device, including other alternative alcohol or drug monitoring device, or global positioning monitoring device, as a condition of pretrial release, and who has not been determined by the court to be indigent, to pay all fees associated with the installation, monitoring, maintenance, and operation of the device. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

SB 254 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to submit an annual report by February 1st on the effectiveness of diverting offenders from state prisons. The report must be sent to the House Criminal Justice Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, and Fiscal Review Committee. This bill amends Tennessee law to establish this specific reporting requirement for diversion programs, focusing on how well they reduce prison populations. It directly affects the Department of Correction (which must file the report) and the three legislative committees (which will review it). The bill is procedural and does not change diversion program rules or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reports on diversion program effectiveness to reduce prison populations, directly supporting criminal justice reform through data-driven oversight of alternatives to incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 1004: Education, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to award grants to local education agencies that operate or authorize at least one public school located in a county with a county juvenile offense rate that is at least 10 percent higher than the statewide juvenile offense rate to enable such LEAs to provide after school programs for students in grades K-12. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 49.

HB 1004 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to award grants to local school districts operating schools in counties with juvenile offense rates at least 10% higher than the statewide rate. These grants fund after-school programs for all K-12 students in qualifying districts, with programs required to include educational activities. Districts must submit applications showing eligibility, partner with approved nonprofits if needed, and report annually on program reach and outcomes. Funding is allocated based on the proportion of eligible students served across all qualifying districts, subject to annual appropriations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds after-school programs in counties with high juvenile offense rates to prevent delinquency, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism through early intervention.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds after-school programs for K-12 students in high-offense counties via grants, requiring educational activities and reporting on outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice K-12 Education

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