Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

died · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1545: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, allows certain felony offenders to petition to have the offender's criminal history records sealed after completion of all requirements of sentencing and at least five years without being convicted of a new offense. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1545 would have allowed certain felony offenders in Tennessee to apply to seal their criminal records after completing all sentencing requirements and avoiding new convictions for five years. Eligible individuals (excluding those convicted of specific violent or serious offenses listed in the bill) would have paid a $500 fee to petition courts, with records sealed from public access except for limited uses by law enforcement, the Department of Health, and peace officer training agencies. The bill applied only to 43 specified offenses, such as theft, fraud, vandalism, and non-violent property crimes - not all felonies. However, the bill was withdrawn on February 2, 2026, and never became law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables sealing of felony records after 5 years without new offenses, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to reintegration for eligible offenders, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 1941: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a firefighter, emergency services personnel, or other person who responds to calls for emergency assistance from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 30-day sentence and $5,000 fine to a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum 60-day sentence and $10,000 fine. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1941 increases penalties for assaulting firefighters, emergency responders, and others providing emergency assistance while they are responding to calls. It changes the offense from a Class A misdemeanor (30-day minimum jail term and $5,000 fine) to a Class E felony (60-day minimum jail term and $10,000 fine). The bill amends Tennessee law to require these mandatory sentences and fines for such assaults, applying directly to anyone who physically harms emergency personnel during their duties. This change specifically targets violent acts against those on the front lines of emergencies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for assaults on emergency responders, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and expanded criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1573: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, adds the advisement or encouragement to commit suicide to the offense of assisted suicide under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1573 amends Tennessee's assisted suicide law to criminalize intentionally advising or encouraging another person to commit suicide within an imminent timeframe, provided the advisor knows the person has communicated suicidal intent. This directly affects individuals who verbally encourage suicide, expanding the offense beyond merely providing means or participating in the act. Key provisions require both knowledge of the person's suicidal intent and the intent to incite immediate suicide, with sentencing set as a Class D felony (Class C if the victim is a minor). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to acts committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding advising/encouraging suicide as a new offense, increasing criminal liability under criminal justice law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1633: Sentencing - As enacted, requires a sentencing court to order the sentences for two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim to run consecutively unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts of the case do not warrant the imposition of consecutive sentences and the imposition of consecutive sentences would not be in the best interest of justice. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 1633 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentences aren't warranted and wouldn't harm justice. This applies to all cases with multiple minor victims, regardless of whether the offenses occurred together. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors and sentencing courts, changing how they handle sentencing for these cases. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive sentences for multiple minor victim offenses, increasing sentencing severity and opposing criminal justice reform trends that reduce mandatory harsh penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1819: Sentencing - As introduced, increases the penalty for failing to stop at the scene of an accident when the person knew or should reasonably have known that death resulted from the accident by requiring a mandatory period of confinement of not less than one year and a minimum fine of $10,000. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

HB 1819 increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents resulting in death by making it a Class E felony. Drivers who fail to stop after causing a fatal accident - when they knew or should have known death occurred - face a mandatory minimum of one year in jail and a $10,000 fine. The bill amends Tennessee laws in Titles 39 (criminal procedure), 40 (transportation), and 55 (vehicle regulations) to implement these stricter penalties. It will take effect on July 1, 2026, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentencing for hit-and-run fatalities, expanding criminal penalties under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 1678: Sentencing - As introduced, increases the penalty for failing to stop at the scene of an accident when the person knew or should reasonably have known that death resulted from the accident by requiring a mandatory period of confinement of not less than one year and a minimum fine of $10,000. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

SB 1678 increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents that cause death in Tennessee. The bill requires a mandatory minimum one-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine for drivers who knew or should have reasonably known death resulted from the accident. It amends Tennessee law to reclassify such offenses as a Class E felony, applying to incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2026. This directly affects drivers who flee the scene of fatal crashes without stopping.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates mandatory minimum sentence for hit-and-run causing death, increasing punitive measures without reform elements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 1614: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires state and local criminal justice agencies to share all criminal justice data and records, including relevant personally identifying information and demographic information, held by that agency with a bona fide researcher for the purpose of facilitating and promoting criminal justice research. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 38.

SB 1614 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments, courts, and corrections) to share specific criminal justice data - including personal details like race, age, and arrest records - with approved researchers. The bill mandates sharing data on stops, arrests, sentencing, and corrections programs, but only to researchers who meet strict criteria (e.g., institutional review board approval and security protocols to protect privacy). Agencies cannot charge more than actual costs for data access, and this sharing does not count as public disclosure under existing laws. The law takes effect in 2026, with agencies required to implement it by 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires data sharing for research to promote evidence-based reform, aligning with support indicators like enhancing accountability through transparency in criminal justice practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Sentencing

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 1658: 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.

SB 1658 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI (driving under the influence) who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone with active warning flashers. This applies to anyone convicted of a DUI offense meeting those specific conditions, increasing their sentence beyond the standard penalty. The 30-day minimum must be served in addition to any other jail time for the DUI conviction. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds mandatory 30-day jail for DUI in school zones, increasing penalties beyond standard sentences - aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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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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died · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1967: Sentencing - As enacted, enacts the "James Bardsley, Jr. Life Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

HB 1967 would increase penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a traffic accident in Tennessee. For accidents causing injury, the penalty would rise from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. For accidents where death occurred and the driver knew or should have known, the penalty would increase from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for hit-and-run causing injury/death to higher felony classifications, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights through harsher sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for hit-and-run accidents, enhancing transportation safety standards under traffic regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Vehicle Registration

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