Criminal Justice

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 490: Expunction - As introduced, permits the expunction of a Class E felony conviction for official misconduct. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 32.

SB 490 would have allowed individuals convicted of a Class E felony for "official misconduct" to have their court records erased from public access. This bill directly affected people with such convictions who met specific eligibility criteria. The key provision would have amended Tennessee law to create a new expunction pathway for this specific offense, enabling the destruction of related court records. However, the bill failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 11, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates expunction pathway for Class E felony official misconduct, reducing barriers to rehabilitation and employment for eligible individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 15, 2025

SB 29: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for civil rights intimidation from a Class D felony to a Class C felony if the victim of the offense was a minor or was selected by the defendant based on the victim’s status as a minister, preacher, pastor, priest, rabbi, or other spiritual leader of a religious belief who has been ordained or otherwise designated in conformity with the customs of a church, temple, or other religious group or organization. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 29 increases penalties for civil rights intimidation in Tennessee by elevating the offense from a Class D felony to a Class C felony under two specific circumstances: if the victim is a minor (under 18) or if the defendant targeted the victim specifically because they are a religious leader (e.g., minister, rabbi, or ordained spiritual figure) recognized by their faith community. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-309 to create this higher penalty tier while keeping other violations as Class A misdemeanors. It directly affects individuals committing such intimidation against minors or religious leaders, and the law will take effect on July 1, 2025. The change focuses solely on the severity of punishment for these targeted offenses, without altering other aspects of the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for targeting religious leaders/minors in civil rights cases, strengthening protections for vulnerable groups under civil rights law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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died · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1024: Forfeiture of Assets - As introduced, increases the burden of proof required to be met by the state in civil asset forfeiture proceedings from a preponderance of evidence standard to a clear and convincing evidence standard. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 33.

HB 1024 amends Tennessee law to raise the standard of proof required in civil asset forfeiture cases from "preponderance of evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence." This change directly affects state prosecutors and property owners, as the state must now meet a higher burden to keep seized assets. The bill updates two specific statutes (TCA §40-33-210 and §40-33-213) to reflect this new standard. It will take effect July 1, 2025, applying to all forfeiture proceedings occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises burden of proof in asset forfeiture from preponderance to clear and convincing evidence, strengthening property owner rights and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1337: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - As introduced, requires the annual written report submitted to legislative committees with subject matter jurisdiction over criminal matters regarding activities of narcotics investigations by the bureau and the assistant director of the narcotics investigation division be submitted by March 1 of each year. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 27; Title 29; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 53, Chapter 11 and Title 55.

SB 1337 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to submit an annual written report on narcotics investigations by March 1 each year to the committee of the house of representatives with jurisdiction over criminal matters. This bill changes the current reporting deadline (which lacked a specific date) to a fixed March 1 submission date, ensuring earlier transparency for legislative oversight. The legislation directly affects the TBI's reporting obligations and the relevant legislative committee, updating how criminal justice data is shared. It amends multiple sections of Tennessee law related to criminal justice procedures to implement this new timeline.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires TBI narcotics investigation reports by March 1, enhancing legislative oversight transparency per bill summary.90% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 464: Drugs, Synthetic or Analogue - As introduced, removes the limitation that a person who is experiencing a drug overdose only has immunity from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted on the first drug overdose. - Amends TCA Title 50; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 464 removes a restriction in Tennessee law that previously limited legal immunity from arrest or prosecution for drug overdose to only the first overdose. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-156 and related provisions to ensure immunity applies to all subsequent overdoses when seeking help. This directly affects individuals experiencing drug overdoses who contact emergency services, as they will no longer face legal consequences for prior overdoses. The key change eliminates the "first overdose" limitation, providing consistent legal protection regardless of how many overdoses occur. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves legal barriers for overdose victims seeking help, expanding immunity to all overdoses to encourage emergency assistance without fear of prosecution.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves legal barriers preventing overdose victims from seeking emergency help, directly improving access to healthcare services and protecting patient rights during medical crises.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 859: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, specifies that a person using force intended or likely to cause death or serious bodily injury from within the person's residence or dwelling is presumed to have acted in self-defense when that force is used against an individual armed with a deadly weapon who is unlawfully present on the person's property and outside of the enclosed structure of the person's residence or dwelling. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 11 and Title 40.

SB 859 amends Tennessee law to create a legal presumption that a homeowner acted in self-defense when using force likely to cause death or serious injury against an armed intruder who is unlawfully on their property but outside the enclosed structure of their home (e.g., porch or yard). This presumption applies specifically when the force is used from within the residence or dwelling. The bill directly affects homeowners defending their property against armed intruders in these defined scenarios. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-11-611(c) and (d) to establish this new standard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal presumption protecting homeowner's self-defense rights against armed intruders, aligning with defendant rights protection in criminal justice.90% confidence

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SR 120: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Urges Supreme Court to draft and adopt codes of conduct in the court rules for district attorneys general, district public defenders, and court clerks; urges Supreme Court to create panel to investigate current complaints of misconduct regarding three elected district attorneys general. -

Senate Resolution 120 is a non-binding resolution urging the Tennessee Supreme Court to take two specific actions. It requests the court draft and adopt formal codes of conduct for district attorneys general, district public defenders, and court clerks - officials currently lacking such rules. Additionally, it asks the court to form a panel to investigate recent misconduct complaints against three elected district attorneys general. The resolution does not create new laws but seeks to establish accountability mechanisms for these justice system roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges codes of conduct and misconduct investigations for DA/public defender roles, enhancing accountability in criminal justice oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SJR 9: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee to expand the rights of victims of crimes. -

SJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand rights for crime victims in Tennessee by replacing Article I, Section 35 of the state constitution. The amendment would guarantee victims specific rights, including timely notice of court proceedings, the right to be present at hearings, the ability to provide input during sentencing and parole decisions, and access to restitution from offenders. These rights would apply to all victims of crime as defined by law, with the General Assembly retaining authority to create implementing laws. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victims' rights in court proceedings and sentencing, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and system transparency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 710: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires the punishment for the offense of misuse of official information to include at least 30 hours of community service work to be determined by the court, in addition to any other punishment authorized by law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 4.

SB 710 amends Tennessee law to require that public servants convicted of misusing official information (a Class B misdemeanor) must complete at least 30 hours of community service, determined by the court, in addition to any other penalties allowed under law. This bill directly affects public employees who misuse their position or access to official information. The key provision adds a mandatory community service requirement to existing punishments for this specific offense, as outlined in amended Tennessee Code § 39-16-404(b). The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds mandatory community service for public servant misuse of information, promoting rehabilitation over pure punishment per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 592: Public Funds and Financing - As introduced, requires the board of claims to hear claims for compensation by persons wrongfully imprisoned whose charges are dismissed and sentences vacated; authorizes persons whose charges were dismissed and sentences vacated prior to enactment of this legislation to file a claim within one year; authorizes surviving spouse and children the right to file a claim with the board of claims on behalf of a person who was wrongfully imprisoned and died prior to filing a claim; grants surviving adult children the same right as surviving minor children to receive payments from an award. - Amends TCA Section 9-8-108.

HB 592 expands eligibility for compensation to individuals wrongfully imprisoned whose sentences were vacated due to actual innocence (not just exoneration), including those with dismissed charges under specific statutes. It allows people wrongfully imprisoned before the law's enactment to file claims within one year of the bill's effective date. Surviving spouses and children can now file claims on behalf of a deceased wrongfully imprisoned person, with payments distributed to surviving family members as specified. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 9-8-108 to clarify these provisions and ensure access to compensation for affected individuals and their families.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands compensation for wrongfully imprisoned individuals, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and addressing systemic errors in sentencing.92% confidence

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