Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 706: District Attorneys - As introduced, adds an additional assistant district attorney general position and criminal investigator position in each judicial district that includes a state correctional facility. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16 and Title 41.

HB 706 adds 10 new assistant district attorney general positions and 10 new criminal investigator positions across 10 specific Tennessee judicial districts that contain state correctional facilities. These roles are funded by the Department of Correction and focus exclusively on investigating and prosecuting crimes committed within state prisons, including violations of specific prison-related laws. The bill mandates that prison officials grant these prosecutors and investigators full access to prison records, evidence, and facilities upon request. The positions become effective July 1, 2025, and do not restrict existing staffing options for district attorneys.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds 10 prison crime prosecution roles funded by DOC, directly strengthening correctional facility law enforcement within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1224: Expunction - As introduced, reduces from 15 years to 10 years the amount of time that must have elapsed since the completion of the sentence imposed for illegal registration or voting before filing a petition for expunction. - Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 19 and Title 40, Chapter 32.

SB 1224 changes Tennessee law to shorten the waiting period for clearing certain criminal records related to voting or registration offenses. It reduces the required time from 15 years to 10 years after completing a sentence before someone can file for expunction (record clearing). This directly affects individuals convicted of illegal voter registration or voting who want to clear their records. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-32-101 and related provisions, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill shortens expunction waiting period from 15 to 10 years for voting/registration offenses, aiding record clearance and reducing barriers to reentry - direct criminal justice reform.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 449: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, restores the right of suffrage for persons convicted of an infamous crime after expiration of the sentence imposed for the infamous crime; removes requirement that the person pay restitution and court costs and be current in all child support obligations before having the person's right of suffrage restored; permits a person to have the right of suffrage restored without having the person's full rights of citizenship restored. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

HB 449 would restore voting rights for Tennesseans convicted of an "infamous crime" (serious offenses like murder or rape) once their sentence ends, without requiring them to pay fines, restitution, or child support first. Currently, people with such convictions must clear all financial obligations and have their full citizenship rights restored to vote again. The bill changes eligibility rules to allow voting simply after sentence completion, verified through a certificate from prison or parole officials. It also updates voter registration forms to ask about sentence completion instead of full citizenship restoration. This affects people convicted of infamous crimes in Tennessee or other states who have finished their sentences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for felons post-sentence without financial barriers, promoting reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform aligned with indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 616: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, restores the right of suffrage for persons convicted of an infamous crime after expiration of the sentence imposed for the infamous crime; removes requirement that the person pay restitution and court costs and be current in all child support obligations before having the person's right of suffrage restored; permits a person to have the right of suffrage restored without having the person's full rights of citizenship restored. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

HB 616 would restore voting rights in Tennessee for people convicted of "infamous crimes" once their sentence (including incarceration, probation, or parole) ends. It removes the current requirements that individuals must pay all restitution, court costs, or be current on child support obligations before regaining voting rights. The bill clarifies that voting rights restoration does not automatically restore all citizenship rights (like jury service or holding office). This directly affects Tennesseans with past convictions for crimes classified as "infamous" under state law, allowing them to vote after serving their sentence without financial or child support hurdles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated without financial barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reintegration and civil rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 757: Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a tenant or household member and a landlord have to agree upon a date to terminate a residential rental or lease agreement, provided the tenant supplies written notice and documentation to the landlord that the tenant is a domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victim. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 13; Title 20; Title 21; Title 25; Title 26; Title 28; Title 29; Title 40; Title 62; Title 66; and Title 68.

HB 757 extends the notice period for tenants fleeing domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking from 30 to 45 days to terminate a rental agreement. It requires tenants to provide written notice and documentation of their victim status to landlords to trigger this longer window. The bill directly affects tenants in these situations and their landlords by giving victims more time to safely vacate properties without immediate eviction risk. This change updates Tennessee's residential rental laws (affecting multiple code sections) to prioritize safety for vulnerable tenants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends tenant protections for crime victims (domestic abuse/stalking), enabling safer exits from abusive situations without immediate eviction risk, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends tenant notice period for domestic abuse victims, strengthening protections against immediate eviction per housing tenant rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1211: 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.

SB 1211 automatically restores voting rights to Tennessee residents who complete their felony sentences, including parole or probation, without requiring a court order. It directly affects people with felony convictions who have finished all court-imposed terms. The bill replaces the previous requirement for a court to restore rights with a system where a "certificate of final discharge" from supervision triggers automatic eligibility. Election officials must track suspended registrations and update voter rolls when eligibility is confirmed, using standardized forms for courts and the Department of Correction. This changes how Tennessee handles voting rights for returning citizens after sentence completion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically restores voting rights for felony completers, advancing reintegration and civil rights - key criminal justice reform goals that reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Probation & Parole Tags Elections

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 959: Sentencing - As introduced, permits a person who is serving a sentence of incarceration of eight years or more for an offense committed prior to January 1, 2026, and who is a victim of domestic abuse subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the same family or household as the person to submit to the sentencing court, a request to apply for resentencing. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 959 allows individuals serving 8+ years in prison for crimes committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) inflicted by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit court records, police reports, or other verified evidence proving their abuse history and current sentence eligibility. Courts will review prison program participation (like domestic violence counseling) and abuse history but cannot reconsider the original conviction. If approved, the court may reduce the sentence while crediting time already served.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows resentencing for domestic abuse victims serving long sentences, reducing harsh penalties and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to address trauma-driven offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1372: 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.

HB 1372 removes the killing of another committed during certain crimes (like robbery or burglary) from the definition of first-degree murder in Tennessee law. It also deletes two specific criminal responsibility provisions that allowed prosecutors to charge individuals for facilitating felonies or being an accomplice. These changes would directly affect prosecutors, defendants, and courts by altering how violent crimes are classified and prosecuted. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee’s criminal code (including Titles 39 and 40) to simplify these legal definitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces first-degree murder charges for killings during certain crimes and removes accomplice liability, aligning with criminal justice reform by lessening penalties and expanding defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1119: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, allows certain persons deprived of the right of suffrage to apply for a voter registration card and have the right of suffrage provisionally restored if the person enters into a payment plan to become current on all child support obligations. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

This bill allows Tennessee residents who owe unpaid child support to apply for voter registration by entering a payment plan to catch up on those debts, rather than requiring full payment upfront to regain voting rights. It provides for provisional restoration of voting rights upon entering a payment plan, with courts able to revoke this provision if the plan is not followed - after offering court-appointed counsel and a hearing to address financial hardship. The law, effective July 1, 2025, applies to new voter registration applications and requires the Secretary of State to develop implementing rules with the Department of Human Services and courts. It directly affects individuals with outstanding child support obligations who seek to vote in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights via payment plan for child support debt, a key criminal justice reform measure aligning with reducing barriers to civic participation for affected individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 253: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, lessens, from 90 calendar days to 60 calendar days, the time within which a clerk of court must notify the health facilities commission of a conviction for certain offenses committed against elderly or vulnerable adults for inclusion on the registry of persons who have abused, neglected, misappropriated, or exploited the property of vulnerable individuals. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15.

SB 253 shortens the deadline for clerks of court to notify the Health Facilities Commission about certain criminal convictions. It reduces the time from 90 to 60 calendar days after a conviction for offenses against elderly or vulnerable adults involving abuse, neglect, misappropriation, or exploitation of their property. This change directly affects clerks of court, requiring them to submit notifications faster to update the registry tracking individuals who have harmed vulnerable adults. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-15-506(a)(1) and has no other substantive policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens notification timeline to expedite registry updates for offenders against vulnerable adults, enhancing oversight and protection within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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