Criminal Justice

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 481: Forfeiture of Assets - As enacted, removes the requirement for a claimant to post a bond when filing a claim to seized property. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 33.

SB 481 removes a requirement for individuals or entities claiming seized property to post a bond when filing a claim under Tennessee's asset forfeiture laws. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-33-205(a) and 40-33-206(b) to eliminate the need for a "cost bond" in forfeiture proceedings. This change directly affects people challenging law enforcement seizures of property, making it easier to contest such seizures without upfront financial barriers. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all seizures occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barrier for challenging asset seizures, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform by easing access to contest law enforcement property seizures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 937: Election Laws - As introduced, establishes automatic restoration of voting rights for people who complete their sentence, including any parole or probationary period. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 937 automatically restores voting rights for Tennessee residents who complete all parts of their sentence, including parole or probation, for certain convictions. It directly affects people previously convicted of "infamous crimes" (as defined by Tennessee law) who have finished their sentences. The bill eliminates the need for court petitions by requiring election officials to restore voting rights upon receipt of a "certificate of final discharge" from supervision. It also creates new systems for election officials to track suspended registrations and automatically update voter eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically restores voting rights post-sentence for formerly incarcerated individuals, advancing reintegration and criminal justice reform by eliminating barriers to civic participation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 553: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands "law enforcement officer" to include a correctional officer employed by a county jail, the department of correction, or a private prison contractor and a probation or parole officer employed by the department of correction or a private probation provider for purposes of the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

HB 553 amends Tennessee's assault law to broaden the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include correctional officers working in county jails, state facilities, or private prisons, as well as probation and parole officers employed by the state or private providers. This change directly affects these correctional and probation officers by extending legal protections against assault to cover them under the same criminal penalties that apply to traditional law enforcement. The bill specifically updates Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-116 to list these new categories explicitly, ensuring they are protected under the assault offense statute. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands legal protections for correctional/probation officers under assault laws, strengthening workforce safety in corrections system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1170: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, provides that a person is criminally responsible for an offense committed by the conduct of another if, acting with intent to benefit in the proceeds or results of the offense, the person solicits, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another person to commit the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 11; Title 39, Chapter 12; Title 39, Chapter 13; Title 39, Chapter 14; Title 40, Chapter 24; Title 40, Chapter 35 and Title 40, Chapter 39.

SB 1170 removes the killing of another committed during certain crimes (like robbery or burglary) from the definition of first-degree murder in Tennessee law. It deletes legal provisions that allowed prosecutors to charge individuals as "criminally responsible" for others' actions, including facilitating felonies or acting as an accomplice under specific sections. The bill amends multiple parts of Tennessee’s criminal code (including Titles 39 and 40) to eliminate these references and provisions. This change directly affects how prosecutors handle cases involving killings during crimes and reduces potential charges for indirect involvement in felonies. The bill focuses on clarifying legal definitions rather than creating new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves felony murder from first-degree murder definition and deletes accomplice liability provisions, reducing sentencing severity and expanding defendant rights per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 81: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the second look commission to June 30, 2029. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 37, Chapter 3.

SB 81 extends the deadline for Tennessee's Second Look Commission from its original expiration to June 30, 2029. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-250 to formally update the commission's authorization period. This extension directly affects the Second Look Commission, which reviews certain criminal sentences, allowing it to continue its work for an additional four years. The change is procedural, updating the legal timeline without altering the commission's existing responsibilities or processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends Second Look Commission's mandate to review sentences, enabling continued criminal justice reform efforts without altering existing policies.85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 696: Sexual Offenses - As introduced, establishes a sexual assault response team coordinator for the purpose of providing statewide training, support, and technical assistance to and oversight of sexual assault response teams. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8 and Title 38.

HB 696 creates a statewide Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator position to improve coordination and support for local SARTs across Tennessee. The coordinator, employed by the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, will provide training, oversight, and technical assistance to ensure local teams follow best practices and access resources. The bill requires annual reports to the legislature on SART performance, gaps in services, and recommendations for improvement. Funding for the position will come from state grants to the coalition, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a statewide SART Coordinator to improve coordination, training, and oversight of sexual assault response teams, enhancing victim services and promoting criminal justice reform in sexual offense cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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failed · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 836: Controlled Substances - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Cannabis Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 29; Title 33; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 43; Title 45; Title 50; Title 53; Title 63; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 836, titled the "Tennessee Cannabis Act," would legalize recreational cannabis use for adults aged 21 and older in Tennessee. It establishes regulations for licensing cannabis businesses, including requirements for product testing, child-resistant packaging, and restrictions on advertising near schools or parks. The bill defines key terms like "edible marijuana products" (e.g., food or drinks infused with cannabis) and sets standards for cultivation, manufacturing, and sales. It directly affects cannabis businesses, consumers, and local governments through new licensing processes and safety provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes recreational cannabis, removing criminal penalties for possession and use, reducing arrests and convictions - a core criminal justice reform to address mass incarceration and racial disparities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1442: Law Enforcement - As introduced, enacts the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)." - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 39.

HB 1442, titled the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to remove masks or face coverings during public interactions while on duty, except for N95 masks used to prevent disease transmission or smoke masks during natural disasters. It also mandates that officers visibly display their name or badge number at all times during public interactions. Violating these requirements would be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and the law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers operating within Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates visible officer identification and mask removal during public interactions, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 679: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that when the victim of a sexually oriented crime is a minor, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for the victim to receive a forensic medical examination. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38 and Title 39.

HB 679 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, directly affecting providers who bill the criminal injuries compensation fund. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA or serology analysis on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with specific procedures for delays. The bill sets a July 1, 2025 effective date for both provisions, applying to exams performed and kits received after that date. These changes aim to improve compensation for medical providers and streamline forensic evidence processing in sexual assault cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim support via higher provider compensation and mandates faster DNA analysis, directly advancing evidence processing and victim care in sexual assault cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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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