Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 1093: Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, expands the definition of "machine gun" to include any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended solely for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun; increases the classification for the intentional or knowing possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a machine gun from a Class E to a Class C felony; reclassifies certain other offenses involving the possession of firearm or handgun ammunition; makes a defendant ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault that involved the use of a firearm from within a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1093 amends Tennessee law to strengthen firearm regulations. It expands the definition of "machine gun" to include parts designed solely to convert a firearm into a machine gun, and increases penalties for possessing, making, or selling such devices from a Class E to a Class C felony. The bill also changes penalties for other gun-related offenses and makes defendants ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm used from within a vehicle. These changes apply to Tennessee residents and anyone violating these provisions within the state. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands machine gun definition, increases felony penalties, and removes parole eligibility for firearm-related aggravated assault - harsher sentencing aligns with opposition to criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1075: Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, expands the definition of "machine gun" to include any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended solely for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun; increases the classification for the intentional or knowing possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a machine gun from a Class E to a Class C felony; reclassifies certain other offenses involving the possession of firearm or handgun ammunition; makes a defendant ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault that involved the use of a firearm from within a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1075 (enacted as Public Chapter 513) amends Tennessee law to expand the definition of "machine gun" to include parts designed solely for converting firearms into machine guns. It upgrades the felony classification for machine gun possession, manufacture, or sale from Class E to Class C and reclassifies certain firearm ammunition offenses. The bill also makes defendants ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm used from a motor vehicle. These changes directly affect individuals possessing machine guns or specific firearm-related offenses in Tennessee, with the law taking effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of firearm offenses, upgrades felony classifications, and removes parole eligibility for firearm-related aggravated assault, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1232: Courts - As enacted, enacts the "Recovery Court Renewal Act." - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 32, Part 1.

SB 1232 allows individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Tennessee to petition for the removal of their conviction from their criminal record after meeting specific conditions. To qualify, a person must have completed all sentence requirements (including fines, probation, and restitution) for the DUI offense, not have received prior expunctions, and not have been convicted of DUI more than once. The bill creates a new eligibility pathway for DUI expunctions, requiring the offense to be at least 10 years old from the date of conviction and limiting petitions to one per person. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies only to DUI convictions under Tennessee law § 55-10-401.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows DUI expunction after 10 years with conditions, reducing barriers to rehabilitation and aiding reintegration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 175: State Inmates - As enacted, requires by July 1, 2027, and each July 1 thereafter, the commissioner of correction to deliver to the chairs of legislative committees with jurisdiction over the department a report containing data with regard to individuals who may be certified eligible for parole for being chronically debilitated or incapacitated. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 175 changes Tennessee's parole and furlough rules for inmates with serious medical conditions. It removes the requirement that an inmate must be "chronically debilitated" to be certified for parole, and expands eligibility for furloughs when an inmate cannot perform basic daily tasks in prison due to a medical condition. The bill affects inmates with health issues that limit their ability to manage daily activities in a correctional setting. These changes update Tennessee Code Sections 40-35-501 (parole eligibility) and 41-21-227 (furlough criteria), but the bill remains pending in the Senate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves medical barrier for parole/furloughs, enabling compassionate release for inmates with chronic conditions - advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 475: Sentencing - As introduced, reduces the percentage of sentence that a person convicted of first degree murder on or after July 1, 1995, and sentenced to life imprisonment is required to serve before becoming eligible for release from 100 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained to 60 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained; prohibits a defendant becoming eligible for parole before serving 25 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 25 years of age or younger at the time of the offense, or 30 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 26 years of age or older at the time of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 2 and Title 40.

SB 475 modifies Tennessee's sentencing rules for individuals convicted of first-degree murder after July 1, 1995, who receive life imprisonment. It reduces the required service for release eligibility from 100% of 60 years (60 years total) to 60% of 60 years (36 years), minus time earned for good behavior. However, it mandates a minimum 25-year sentence if the offender was under 25 at the time of the crime, or 30 years if 26 or older. This bill directly affects life-sentenced murder convicts in Tennessee, changing when they may become eligible for parole under specific age-based timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces required service time from 60 to 36 years for life-sentenced murder convicts, advancing sentencing reform by lowering mandatory minimums while maintaining age-based minimums.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 407: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, revises the procedure for restoration of rights of citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 407 changes how Tennessee restores voting rights after felony convictions. It removes the requirement for a governor's pardon, instead automatically restoring voting rights once a person completes their sentence (including probation or parole) for most felony convictions. The bill affects individuals with past felony convictions who were previously barred from voting without a pardon. However, voting rights remain restricted for those convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or certain violent sexual offenses, as specified in the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves governor's pardon requirement for voting rights restoration, automatically restoring rights after sentence completion for most felons, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and civil rights restoration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 16, 2025

HJR 48: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee to expand the rights of victims of crimes. -

HJR 48 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand rights for crime victims in Tennessee. If approved by voters, it would guarantee victims specific protections including the right to receive notice of court proceedings, be present at trials, provide input during sentencing, receive restitution from offenders, and be informed of parole decisions. The amendment would require voter approval at the 2026 general election, as directed in the resolution. This is a proposed change to the state constitution, not an immediate law, and would not alter existing legal processes or create new lawsuits against the government.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victims' rights in court proceedings, sentencing, and parole, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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signed · Tennessee · House May 8, 2025

HB 1090: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to study the issues associated with constructing and operating a reentry facility that would house eligible inmates who are working toward return from incarceration into the community. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1090 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to study the challenges of building and operating reentry facilities for eligible inmates transitioning back into the community. The bill mandates that the department submit an annual report by February 1st detailing its findings. This law directly affects the Department of Correction, which must now conduct this study and report its results each year, without creating new facilities or changing inmate eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates study of reentry facilities to aid inmate community transition, directly supporting criminal justice reform by focusing on reducing recidivism through rehabilitation pathways.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1103: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," which requires the department to develop an early parole termination program for parolees meeting certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1103, "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create a program allowing eligible parolees to potentially end their parole supervision early. To qualify, parolees must maintain stable employment for six consecutive months, remain law-abiding with no violations or arrests, and complete all required rehabilitation programs. The program would use an earned time credit system similar to inmate sentence reductions, gradually reducing supervision over five years with biannual eligibility reviews. Parolees meeting all criteria could achieve early termination and full discharge from parole under guidelines set by the director of probation and parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires rehabilitation completion and stable employment for early parole, reducing recidivism through earned time credits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 1057: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," which requires the department to develop an early parole termination program for parolees meeting certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1057, "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," would create a program allowing parolees in Tennessee to earn early termination of supervision. To qualify, parolees must have stable employment for six months, no violations or arrests while on parole, and complete all required rehabilitation programs. The program would use an earned time credit system (similar to credits for inmates) to gradually reduce supervision, aiming for full parole discharge after five years. It directly affects parolees meeting these criteria and requires the Department of Correction to develop the program with annual eligibility reviews.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates earned time credits for parolees meeting rehabilitation/employment criteria, reducing supervision duration to lower recidivism and promote reintegration per bill's stated goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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