Criminal Justice (Corrections)

signed · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1787: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for patronizing prostitution from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B or Class A felony under certain circumstances that are currently punished as trafficking for a commercial sex act. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

HB 1787 (Criminal Offenses) increases penalties for patronizing prostitution when the victim is in specific vulnerable categories. It raises the offense to a Class B felony if the victim is a law enforcement officer posing as a minor or a person with an intellectual disability, and to a Class A felony if the victim is under 18. The bill also mandates at least 7 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for patronizing prostitution within 1.5 miles of a school. These changes apply to cases currently treated as trafficking for commercial sex acts under Tennessee law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for patronizing prostitution to felony levels in specific cases, expanding criminalization and mandating jail time/fines, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2144: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalties for a violation of the offense of introduction or possession of contraband into a penal institution from a Class C felony to a Class B felony for certain acts and certain types of contraband, from a Class D felony to a Class C felony for certain acts and certain types of contraband, and from a Class E felony to a Class D felony for certain acts involving a telecommunication device if the violation resulted in the death of another person. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 2144 increases penalties for introducing or possessing contraband in Tennessee prisons. It raises certain violations from a Class C to Class B felony (if the act caused death), Class D to Class C (for specific contraband), and Class E to Class D (for telecommunication devices if death occurred). The bill directly affects individuals who bring prohibited items into correctional facilities, with higher penalties applying specifically when the violation results in another person's death. The changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 39-16-201 and 40 regarding prison contraband offenses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony classifications for prison contraband violations, raising penalties for acts causing death or involving specific items, directly expanding criminalization in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1523: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the inmate disciplinary oversight board to June 30, 2028. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10.

SB 1523 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board to June 30, 2028. This board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates in state correctional facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10) to update the board's sunset date. The extension ensures continued oversight of inmate discipline processes without altering the board's existing responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends oversight board for inmate disciplinary reviews, maintaining accountability in corrections without altering responsibilities, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

died · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1996: Controlled Substances - As introduced, permits a person to possess cannabis that was obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician; specifies the sentences permitted for possessing certain amounts of cannabis that was not obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.

HB 1996 modifies Tennessee's cannabis possession laws by creating a medical exception and establishing tiered penalties for non-medical use. It permits possession only if cannabis was obtained directly from a licensed physician for a qualifying medical condition (as defined in TCA §68-7-101). For non-medical possession, it sets fines up to $100 for 1 ounce or less (with no jail time), and increases penalties for larger amounts or repeat offenses - up to $2,500 fines and 6 months in jail for third offenses of more than 1 ounce. The bill directly affects Tennessee residents who possess cannabis, distinguishing between medical use and non-compliant possession.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces penalties for minor cannabis possession (no jail for ≤1oz) and creates medical exemption, decreasing criminalization of low-level offenses per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables medical cannabis access through licensed physician diagnosis, expanding patient treatment options for qualifying conditions under healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 1839: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, prohibits the department from removing a state inmate from a local jail facility for the purpose of relocating the inmate to a state facility if the inmate is participating in a work release or re-entry program unless the inmate has failed to meet the work release or in-house duty requirements, or the inmate's disciplinary records warrant the inmate's removal from participation in the work release or re-entry program. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1839 prevents Tennessee's Department of Correction from moving inmates from local jails to state facilities if they're in work release or re-entry programs. The bill specifically prohibits relocation unless an inmate fails to meet program requirements or has disciplinary issues that warrant removal. This directly affects inmates participating in these community-based programs, ensuring they can continue their supervision in local jails without unnecessary transfer. The law amends Tennessee statutes to enforce this restriction, focusing on maintaining program stability for eligible participants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents unnecessary inmate transfers from local jails to state facilities, preserving work release/re-entry program participation to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1769: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, enacts "The Intercollegiate Student-Athlete Protection Act," which creates a criminal offense of student athlete harassment; punishes the first offense as a Class A misdemeanor and a second or subsequent offense as a Class E felony; and specifies that a student athlete who is the victim of student athlete harassment has a private right of action against a person convicted of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 49; Title 39 and Title 49.

HB 1769, "The Intercollegiate Student-Athlete Protection Act," creates new criminal offenses for harassment targeting student athletes in Tennessee. It defines "student athlete harassment" as threats or repeated bullying related to athletic performance that causes emotional distress, with first offenses classified as Class A misdemeanors (up to 11 months in jail) and repeat offenses as Class E felonies. The bill grants victims a private right to sue offenders for $75,000 per violation plus actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. It also clarifies that electronic service providers are not liable for disclosing user data under valid warrants or court orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with escalating penalties, expanding criminalization of harassment rather than advancing reform or protections.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates legal protections for student athletes against harassment in higher education, directly supporting safe educational environments for a specific group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts School Safety

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1938: Orders of Protection - As introduced, increases from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony the penalty for the criminal offense of violation of an order of protection if the order violated was a lifetime order of protection and the conviction that the lifetime order of protection was based on involved the use of force against a victim. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

SB 1938 increases the penalty for violating a lifetime order of protection from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony under specific circumstances. This applies when the violation occurs after a conviction for an offense involving force against a victim (such as assault) that led to the lifetime order. The bill also requires prison sentences for such violations to be served consecutively to other sentences for the same incident, though judges may allow concurrent sentences in some cases. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, and affects individuals convicted of violent offenses who later violate lifetime protective orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for violating lifetime protection orders from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization and mandating consecutive sentences per bill text.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1790: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, authorizes the department to adopt or amend a formulary for use in the correctional facilities operated by or on behalf of the department. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 41; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1790 requires insurers covering inmates in Tennessee to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids in their preferred drug lists (PDLs), meaning non-opioid options cannot be disadvantaged in coverage or cost-sharing. It directly affects insurers offering policies that cover incarcerated individuals, including TennCare and private health plans. The law mandates that non-opioid medications (approved by the FDA for pain management) must have equal coverage treatment relative to opioids on the PDL, without prohibiting insurers from favoring one opioid over another. The bill applies to all such medications approved by the FDA for nine months or longer and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates equal coverage for FDA-approved non-opioid pain meds in correctional settings, promoting rehabilitation and reducing opioid dependency among inmates, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain meds equally with opioids in coverage, improving patient access to safer alternatives and reducing opioid reliance per healthcare policy goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1581: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the inmate disciplinary oversight board to June 30, 2028. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10.

HB 1581 extends the existence of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board until June 30, 2028, by amending state code sections related to the board's authority. This bill directly affects inmates in Tennessee correctional facilities and the state's prison system, as the board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates. The key change is a simple extension of the board's operational period, maintaining existing oversight without altering its structure or responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends inmate disciplinary oversight board, maintaining existing accountability mechanisms without changes to structure or responsibilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 2021: Welfare - As introduced, requires the commissioner of human services to provide to the commissioner of correction an application for food assistance to be used by inmates in state correctional institutions prior to release; requires the application to contain an option for the inmate to indicate a denial to apply for food assistance and reasons for doing so; requires the commissioner of correction to supply the application to each inmate prior to release; requires reports to the general assembly on certain data collected from the applications and on the number of inmates leaving incarceration who are approved for food assistance. - Amends TCA Title 41 and Title 71.

SB 2021 required Tennessee correctional facilities to provide inmates with a food assistance application before release, including options to decline assistance and state reasons for refusal (with anonymous option). It mandated correctional staff to distribute and collect these applications, then submit annual reports to the legislature on application completion rates, reasons for declines, and approval numbers. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn on February 2, 2026, and never became law. It would have directly affected incarcerated individuals preparing for release and state correctional institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides pre-release food assistance applications to inmates, supporting reentry and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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