Criminal Justice (Corrections)

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

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 191: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a Class B misdemeanor for knowingly activating and pointing a laser pointer or other device utilizing a laser beam at a person driving an automobile, boat, aircraft, or any other motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 191 makes it a Class B misdemeanor to knowingly point a laser pointer or laser device at someone driving a car, boat, aircraft, or any motor vehicle. This law directly affects individuals who intentionally use such devices to distract or endanger drivers. The bill creates a new criminal offense with penalties including fines or jail time for violations occurring on or after July 1, 2025. It applies statewide to all motor vehicles and was signed into law by the governor on March 28, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for laser distraction, expanding criminalization of public safety offenses per indicators.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by criminalizing laser distractions targeting drivers, directly addressing vehicle safety regulations under transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Vehicle Registration

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 72: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, establishes mandatory minimum penalties of 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine for a person convicted of knowingly selling or distributing a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21; prohibits a retailer from knowingly allowing an employee younger than 21 to access, handle, or sell any product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid on the premises of the retail establishment. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 43, Chapter 27 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

HB 72 establishes mandatory penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products to people under 21 in Tennessee. It requires a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and $500 fine for anyone convicted of knowingly selling such products to minors. The bill also prohibits retailers from allowing employees under 21 to access, handle, or sell these products on store premises. These rules directly affect retailers and their underage employees handling hemp-derived cannabinoid products, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory 48-hour jail term and $500 fine for selling hemp products to minors increases criminal penalties, expanding criminalization under criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 1314: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the criminal offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence; creates the criminal offense of posting on a publicly accessible website the telephone number or home address of an individual with the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm to the individual or a member of the individual's family or household. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 8 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 3.

HB 1314 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee. First, it makes it a felony (Class E or D depending on circumstances) to recklessly threaten mass violence (defined as an act likely to cause serious harm to four or more people), especially if targeting schools, government buildings, or events. Second, it creates a misdemeanor (Class B or A) for posting someone’s home address or phone number online with the intent to cause harm to them or their family. The law applies to all individuals, including threats made via social media or text, but excludes public officials acting within their legal duties. Violators may face prison time and be ordered to pay restitution for disruptions caused by their threats.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses for threats and doxxing, increasing penalties without reform elements or protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

died · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1273: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, clarifies, for purposes of criminal offenses relative to threats of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity or failing to report such threats, that a threat of mass violence is credible if the threat causes another to reasonably expect the commission of an act of mass violence. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 1273 creates a new felony charge for recklessly threatening mass violence against child care centers, preschools, or religious institutions, and a misdemeanor for failing to report such threats. The law requires immediate reporting of threats to both local law enforcement and the affected institution, with specific details needed in the report. Violators face penalties including up to 6 years in prison for the felony threat and up to 6 months for failing to report. The bill defines "property" to include buildings and grounds of these institutions and mandates restitution for disruption caused by threats.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony/misdemeanor for threats against institutions, increasing criminal penalties and expanding criminalization per indicators.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens school safety by criminalizing threats of mass violence, directly protecting students and educational institutions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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died · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 322: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the offense of human smuggling; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 322 creates a new criminal offense of "human smuggling" under Tennessee law, directly affecting individuals who transport people across borders for financial gain while concealing them from authorities. The bill defines human smuggling as transporting 10+ adults or 5+ minors (knowing they entered the U.S. illegally) to avoid detection by law enforcement, or encouraging such entry. It classifies this as a Class E felony, punishable by up to 6 years in prison, and adds misdemeanor penalties for harboring individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. The law also grants the state attorney general authority to seek court orders dissolving organizations involved in trafficking or smuggling.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for human smuggling, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Human Trafficking

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 215: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, establishes mandatory minimum penalties of 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine for a person convicted of knowingly selling or distributing a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21; prohibits a retailer from knowingly allowing an employee younger than 21 to access, handle, or sell any product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid on the premises of the retail establishment. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 43, Chapter 27 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

SB 215 establishes new penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products to people under 21 in Tennessee. It requires a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and $500 fine for anyone convicted of knowingly selling such products to minors. The law also prohibits retailers from allowing employees under 21 to access, handle, or sell these products on store premises. These provisions amend Tennessee Code sections governing retail sales and criminal penalties, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 48-hour jail term and $500 fine for selling hemp products to minors, increasing criminal penalties per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 143: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the Class C felony offense of aggravated assault against a first responder to include knowingly possessing fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or a fentanyl analogue in a manner that would be reasonably foreseen to expose a first responder to the substance while the first responder is discharging or attempting to discharge the first responder's official duties and the first responder is exposed resulting in the serious bodily injury or death of the first responder. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 143 expands Tennessee's Class C felony charge for aggravated assault against first responders to include knowingly possessing specific fentanyl-related substances (fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or analogues) in a way that reasonably exposes first responders to those substances during official duties. This directly affects individuals who possess these drugs in circumstances where exposure could cause serious injury or death to a first responder. The bill defines "expose" as direct contact via touch, ingestion, or inhalation and sets a mandatory $15,000 fine plus a 90-day minimum jail term with no early release. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to cases where the first responder suffers serious injury or death due to the exposure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding fentanyl possession as aggravated assault against first responders, increasing penalties for drug-related offenses targeting public safety.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 949: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, creates a criminal offense of storing or keeping a firearm in any place if the firearm is not secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device that is properly engaged so as to render the firearm inoperable by any person other than the owner or another lawfully authorized user; punishes a violation of the offense as a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 949 requires all firearm owners in Tennessee to store firearms in a locked container or equipped with a safety device that renders them inoperable to unauthorized users. This applies to firearms kept in any location, except when carried by the owner or a lawfully authorized user. Violating this rule is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months in jail or a fine. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for firearm storage, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1400: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law concerning driving under the influence. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

SB 1400 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws by two key changes: it permits law enforcement officers to assist medical professionals in obtaining blood samples from drivers using reasonable force during DUI investigations, and it increases the minimum jail sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. These provisions directly affect drivers charged with DUI, law enforcement officers conducting blood tests, and medical personnel involved in the sampling process. The blood sample provision took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on May 5, 2025, while the sentence increase will apply starting January 1, 2026. The bill does not alter DUI testing standards or expand penalties beyond these specific changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases first-time DUI jail sentence from 1 to 1.5 years and permits force for blood samples, expanding criminalization and harshening penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement