Criminal Justice (Courts)

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 144: Memorials, Congress - Urges the United States Department of Justice and the federal government to immediately comply with the law and release the remaining Jeffrey Epstein files in the interest of justice, transparency, and the protection of women and children. -

HR 144 is a Tennessee House resolution urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately release remaining Epstein-related files required by law, including flight logs, communications, financial records, and identities of individuals connected to Epstein's crimes. It directly addresses the federal government, citing the DOJ's failure to meet a court-ordered deadline for disclosure. The resolution emphasizes that transparency is essential for justice, protecting victims, and upholding Tennessee's values regarding accountability for sexual exploitation. While non-binding, it calls on Tennessee's congressional delegation to support federal efforts to compel the file release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges DOJ to release Epstein files for transparency, justice, and victim protection - key criminal justice reform principles aligning with accountability and victim rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1754: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, removes the requirement for a petitioner for restoration of citizenship or an applicant for a certificate of employability to pay the costs of the proceedings; makes other changes to the process for restoration of citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

SB 1754 removes court fees for individuals applying to restore citizenship rights or obtain a certificate of employability in Tennessee. It eliminates the requirement for petitioners to pay costs associated with these proceedings under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-29-103 and 40-29-107. The bill directly affects people seeking to regain citizenship rights after legal restrictions or those needing employment verification certificates. Key changes include deleting cost-related language in the statutes and specifying "no cost" for applicants. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves court fees for citizenship restoration and employability certificates, reducing financial barriers to reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves court fees for citizenship restoration and employability certificates, reducing financial barriers for immigrants seeking rights/services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Citizenship & Naturalization Work Authorization

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died · Tennessee · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 1634: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, removes the requirement for a petitioner for restoration of citizenship or an applicant for a certificate of employability to pay the costs of the proceedings. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

SB 1634 removes court fees for two specific legal processes in Tennessee: restoring citizenship (for individuals like veterans who lost rights) and obtaining a certificate of employability (to help people with criminal records secure jobs). It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-29-103(f) and 40-29-107(c) to state that "there is no cost to a petitioner" for these proceedings. The bill directly affects applicants seeking these legal remedies by eliminating associated court costs. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and is not a procedural resolution but a policy change removing financial barriers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves court fees for citizenship restoration and employability certificates, reducing financial barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves court fees for veterans seeking citizenship restoration and employability certificates, directly aiding veteran employment and rights restoration per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1740: Courts, Juvenile - As enacted, expands the disposition allowed when a person under 21 is found to have unlawfully purchased, possessed, accepted receipt of, or presented fraudulent proof of age to purchase tobacco, smoking hemp, a vapor product, or a smokeless nicotine product to include requiring community service work, the successful completion of a prescribed court program, or placing the person on an informal adjustment for a period of 90 days for a first violation, and, for a second or subsequent violation, placing the person on probation for up to six months in addition to requiring community service and the successful completion of a prescribed court program focusing on the dangers of tobacco and vapor products. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 15.

SB 1740 changes penalties for individuals under 21 who illegally purchase or possess tobacco, vaping, or nicotine products. For a first violation, courts may now require community service (up to 50 hours), completion of a court program about product dangers, or a 90-day informal adjustment. For second or subsequent violations, courts must add up to six months of probation (along with community service and the program). Parents or guardians of minors may face a $10-$50 civil penalty, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts penalties to rehabilitation-focused alternatives (community service, education programs) for juvenile tobacco offenses, reducing punitive measures and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1801: Election Laws - As introduced, restores a person's right of suffrage automatically upon the person's discharge from custody by reason of service or expiration of the maximum sentence imposed by the court for the infamous crime. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

SB 1801 automatically restores voting rights for people released from prison after serving a sentence for a "serious crime" (as defined by Tennessee law), without requiring a pardon or special conditions. It directly affects individuals convicted of such crimes who have completed their sentences or been discharged from custody. The key provision requires county election commissions to accept prison discharge documents as proof of restored voting rights, replacing previous requirements for gubernatorial pardons or court orders. This change applies to people released after the bill takes effect, streamlining the process for rejoining the electorate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights automatically for formerly incarcerated individuals post-sentence, advancing reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1599: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, prohibits a court from assessing court costs against a defendant in a criminal proceeding if the defendant is found not guilty by a jury or by a judge following a bench trial on all charges for which the defendant was accused, the prosecution is dismissed or a nolle prosequi is entered by the state, or the charges against the defendant are dismissed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1599 prohibits Tennessee courts from charging defendants with court costs in criminal cases when the defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge), charges are dismissed by the prosecution or court, or the state enters a nolle prosequi. It directly affects criminal defendants who are acquitted or have charges dropped, ensuring they won't face additional financial penalties for those outcomes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-11-102 and 40-25-123 to establish this rule, effective July 1, 2026. This policy change removes a financial burden for acquitted defendants, aligning court cost assessments with case outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents court costs for acquitted defendants, protecting civil rights by removing financial penalties for non-guilty outcomes in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1864: Private Protective Services - As enacted, adds stalking to the crimes for which an individual who has been convicted must have completed serving the individual's sentence or court-ordered probation at least five years prior to applying for a registration card to perform the duties of a security guard or officer; makes other changes related to security guards and officers. - Amends TCA Title 62, Chapter 35.

SB 1864 modifies Tennessee's security guard licensing rules by adding stalking to the list of crimes requiring a five-year waiting period after completing a sentence or probation before an applicant can register. It also disqualifies applicants from security guard registration if they are listed on a state or out-of-state abuse registry or have firearm prohibitions (like orders of protection). The bill updates requirements for security guards to report arrests or convictions related to specified offenses within 10 days. These changes directly affect individuals seeking security guard licenses who have certain criminal histories.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds stalking to disqualifying crimes for security guards, requiring 5-year waiting period to enhance public safety and restrict access for individuals with certain criminal histories.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1814: DUI Offenses - As introduced, allows a person convicted of driving under the influence of an intoxicant involving alcohol or opioids to agree to receive naltrexone injections at the person's own expense for a period of 12 continuous months in lieu of being required to operate only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

HB 1814 allows courts to let individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) involving alcohol or opioids choose between two options: using a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device or receiving naltrexone injections for 12 months at their own expense. If the person opts for naltrexone, the court must include reporting requirements for the treatment as a probation condition, and failure to comply could lead to probation revocation. The bill directly affects DUI offenders in Tennessee who face sentencing for alcohol or opioid-related violations. It amends Tennessee law to provide this alternative to ignition interlock devices, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill offers treatment (naltrexone) as alternative to punitive ignition interlock, promoting rehabilitation for DUI offenders with substance use, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 1867: Evidence - As introduced, permits the introduction into evidence of a video recording of a child victim being interviewed by a forensic interviewer regarding sexual or physically violent contact with the child if the forensic interviewer is an employee of the department of children's services and meets certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 2 and Title 24, Chapter 7, Part 1.

SB 1867 allows video recordings of child victims' interviews conducted by Department of Children's Services employees to be used as evidence in court, specifically for cases involving sexual or physical violence. The recordings are admissible only if the interview was supervised by a qualifying child advocacy center meeting specific standards and the interviewer meets all required qualifications. This law applies directly to child abuse cases in Tennessee, modifying evidence rules under Titles 9 and 24 of the Tennessee Code. The provision expires on July 1, 2031, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows child victim interview videos as admissible evidence in abuse cases, streamlining court proceedings and reducing trauma for victims, enhancing victim-centered justice in criminal cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1745: Election Laws - As introduced, restores a person's right of suffrage automatically upon the person's discharge from custody by reason of service or expiration of the maximum sentence imposed by the court for the infamous crime. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

HB 1745 automatically restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" upon their release from prison or when their maximum sentence expires. It directly affects individuals who have completed sentences for such convictions, eliminating the need for a governor's pardon or special conditions to regain voting eligibility. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove current disqualifications for those no longer incarcerated for these crimes, requiring county election commissions to accept prison discharge documentation as proof of restored rights. This change applies to both state and federal convictions that would qualify as infamous crimes under Tennessee law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals post-sentence, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and civil rights without requiring gubernatorial action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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