HB 2430 requires Tennessee state correctional facilities to provide inmates preparing for release with a food assistance application form from the human services agency. The application must include an option for inmates to decline assistance, specify reasons for declining (with anonymous submission allowed), and be collected by correctional staff before release. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature starting in 2027, tracking the number of completed applications, declines with reasons, and approval rates for food assistance. This policy change directly affects incarcerated individuals transitioning to community life and requires state agencies to implement standardized application and reporting procedures.
SB 2219 restricts access to juvenile court records in Tennessee related to delinquency or unruly proceedings. It limits viewing of these records - previously open to inspection - to only three groups: court personnel (judges, magistrates, staff) acting in official duties; district attorneys and assistants handling child-related cases; and public defenders and assistants handling child-related cases. The bill prohibits anyone with access from disclosing or sharing these records except as permitted by law. This change, effective January 2027, modifies Tennessee’s juvenile court rules to tighten confidentiality around sensitive juvenile court documents.
SB 2440, the "Pot for Potholes Act," establishes a regulatory framework for legal marijuana cultivation, processing, and retail sales in Tennessee, administered by the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects licensed businesses (growers, processors, retailers) and adults aged 21+ who can purchase marijuana products. Key provisions include requiring child-resistant packaging, batch tracking for safety, restrictions near community facilities like parks and schools, and mandating that tax revenue fund road repairs (the "potholes" reference). The bill amends multiple state code titles to create licensing requirements, safety standards, and definitions for cannabis products like edibles and concentrates.
SB 2462 updates Tennessee's reporting requirements for district attorneys general. It mandates that district attorneys include specific, non-personally identifying data in their annual reports - such as the number of indictments, case transfers, and case dispositions (including dismissals, pleas, and sentences). The bill also requires court clerks to provide district attorneys and the District Attorneys General Conference direct, unlimited access to court case management systems to collect this data. This affects district attorneys, court clerks, and the statewide conference, streamlining data collection without dictating specific reporting systems.
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SB 2650 requires Tennessee's attorney general to notify crime victims about escrow accounts holding funds for civil judgments using email, phone calls, and text messages - beyond just direct in-person or mail contact. This change directly affects victims in civil cases where compensation may be available through court-ordered escrow funds. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 29, 36, 37, 39, and 40) to update notification methods, ensuring victims receive timely information through multiple accessible channels. It focuses on procedural clarity without altering eligibility or funding amounts for victims.
HB 2608, the "PEEPS Act," regulates how Tennessee government agencies access historical location data (like cell phone or vehicle tracking records) to protect individual privacy. It requires government officials to obtain a search warrant for most access (except for specific exceptions like vehicle theft reports, emergencies, or traffic enforcement), prohibits sharing or selling this data to private companies, and mandates data destruction within 2-7 days unless preserved for a criminal case. Government entities must also encrypt stored data, maintain detailed access logs, and adopt security policies. This law directly affects all Tennessee government agencies and officials handling location data, while safeguarding the privacy of residents whose data is collected.
SB 2365, the "Parental Rights Protection Act," requires courts to hold an expedited hearing within 15 days if a bond condition restricts a defendant's parental contact, custody, or visitation with a minor child (excluding cases where the child is a victim). The government must prove, with clear evidence, that a present threat of harm exists, less restrictive alternatives won't prevent harm, and the restriction serves the child's best interests. The bill presumes parental contact is in the child's best interest, shifting the burden to the government to justify restrictions. This directly affects defendants in criminal cases, courts issuing bond conditions, and children whose custody or visitation rights are restricted.
HB 2232 allows eligible misdemeanor offenders in Tennessee to petition a court to seal their criminal records after completing all sentencing requirements and waiting five years without a new conviction. It excludes domestic assault and driving under the influence offenses from eligibility and requires a $500 fee to cover administrative costs. Sealed records remain accessible for specific purposes like firearm background checks, law enforcement hiring, and health registry checks. The bill amends Tennessee Code Titles 39 and 40 and takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2381 extends the deadline for Tennessee courts to notify the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) after ordering the expunction (sealing) of a criminal record, increasing the timeframe from 30 to 45 days. This change directly affects courts issuing expunction orders and the TBI, which must receive the notification within the new 45-day window. The bill amends specific provisions of Tennessee law (TCA Section 40-32-102(d)) to adjust this administrative process without altering eligibility for expunction. It focuses solely on streamlining the notification procedure for criminal record expungement.
SB 2662 establishes strict rules for using oral-fluid tests in DUI cases in Tennessee. It requires officers to document specific, observable driving-related reasons (not general suspicions) before administering tests, and mandates that screening results alone cannot be used as evidence for arrest or license suspension. The bill requires approved devices, proper calibration documentation, and a confirmatory lab test (using accredited methods) for any evidence to be admissible in court. It also guarantees defendants the right to independent lab testing of preserved samples and requires law enforcement to retain detailed records for three years or longer.
