Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 261: Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, requires the department of correction, in consultation with the inmate disciplinary oversight board, to compose a report detailing the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits, and to submit the report to legislative committees. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 261 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction, in collaboration with the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board, to create an annual report tracking the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits under state law. The report must detail these credits and be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the relevant House committee. This bill directly affects the Department of Correction and the oversight board by mandating transparency about how sentence credits are applied to inmates. It does not change sentencing laws but adds a reporting requirement to improve legislative oversight of correctional practices. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 41-21-236 and related titles to implement this reporting obligation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency in sentence credit application, supporting accountability in criminal justice reform through data-driven oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 947: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts "Akilah's Law," which creates the offense of selling, offering to sell, delivering, or transferring a firearm to a person knowing the person has been a patient in a mental institution at any time within the previous five years. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 947, "Akilah's Law," creates a new criminal offense for selling, offering to sell, delivering, or transferring a firearm to someone known to have been a patient in a mental health facility within the past five years. It directly affects firearm sellers and individuals with recent mental health institutionalization (excluding those treated solely for voluntary alcohol abuse without other conditions). The law amends Tennessee statutes to prohibit these transactions and defines "mental institution" broadly to include hospitals, clinics, and evaluation facilities. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all firearm transfers, not just sales.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense restricting firearm sales to mental health patients, expanding criminalization under gun control90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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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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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 505: Montgomery County - As enacted, permits a court to transfer, upon motion by the defendant, a criminal case to the veterans treatment court program in Montgomery County if the veterans treatment court program would have jurisdiction over the case if the offense had been committed in Montgomery County, the defendant files with the court a written waiver of the right to be tried by an impartial jury of the county in which the crime was committed, and the district attorney general for Montgomery County agrees to accept transfer of the case. - Amends TCA Title 16 and Title 40.

SB 505 allows veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to a veterans treatment court in a neighboring county (like Montgomery County, which has a population of 220,000-220,100 per census). It directly affects eligible veterans who qualify for veterans treatment court in the new county and must agree to waive their right to a jury trial in their original county. The transfer requires three conditions: the receiving court would have jurisdiction if the crime occurred there, the defendant signs a written waiver, and the district attorney general for the new county consents. This bill amends Tennessee law to expand access to veterans treatment courts across qualifying contiguous counties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables veterans treatment court transfers to prioritize rehabilitation over traditional prosecution, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and address underlying issues for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnables veterans facing criminal charges to access specialized treatment courts focused on rehabilitation rather than traditional prosecution, addressing underlying issues through targeted support programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 94: State Inmates - As introduced, requires the state to pay for autopsies of deceased inmates and for any transportation associated with the autopsy. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 7; Title 41, Chapter 21 and Title 68, Chapter 4.

HB 94 requires the state to cover the cost of autopsies for deceased inmates and any necessary transportation related to those autopsies. This bill directly affects Tennessee's correctional facilities and the state government, which would now be responsible for these expenses. The key provision amends Tennessee law to mandate state funding for autopsy examinations (as specified in TCA 41-21-221) and associated transport. The bill does not change inmate rights or procedures but shifts the financial responsibility from local entities to the state. It is currently pending in the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for inmate autopsies and transportation, increasing government expenditure per TCA amendments.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates state funding for inmate autopsies and transportation, reducing financial burden on families and improving correctional transparency per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 468: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment when the offense is committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, if the motor vehicle is occupied, or a Class D felony, if the motor vehicle is unoccupied. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

HB 468 increases criminal penalties for reckless endangerment involving firearms discharged into vehicles. If a motor vehicle is occupied, discharging a firearm (including antique firearms) into it becomes a Class C felony; if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill amends Tennessee law to specify these penalty levels under reckless endangerment statutes. This change directly affects individuals who recklessly fire weapons into vehicles, raising the severity of potential criminal charges based on whether the vehicle was occupied at the time. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications for firearm discharge into vehicles, expanding criminalization and raising penalties per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 672: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for obstruction of a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, hallway, or other place used for the passage of persons or vehicles from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony; establishes an increased penalty of a Class D felony if the offense was committed by intentionally obstructing a highway, street, or other place used for the passage of vehicles. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 672 increases penalties for obstructing public pathways in Tennessee. It upgrades obstruction of highways, streets, sidewalks, or similar areas from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. If someone intentionally blocks a highway or street used by vehicles, the penalty becomes a Class D felony. The bill directly affects individuals who interfere with public transportation routes, such as blocking roads during protests or accidents. The changes would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for obstruction from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for obstructing highways/streets, protecting transportation infrastructure flow and safety by criminalizing disruptions to public pathways used for vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 704: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the Class B misdemeanor offenses of criminal impersonation of a transportation network company driver and criminal impersonation of a private passenger-for-hire vehicle driver. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51; Title 39 and Title 65, Chapter 15.

SB 704 creates new Class B misdemeanor offenses for impersonating ride-hailing (e.g., Uber/Lyft) or traditional taxi drivers in Tennessee. It prohibits falsely using a company’s logo, claiming to be responding to a ride request, or making false statements about having a connection to these services. The law directly affects individuals who impersonate drivers to deceive passengers or gain unauthorized access to ride services. Violations are punishable as Class B misdemeanors, rising to Class E felonies if committed during another felony. The bill applies to all drivers of transportation network companies and private passenger-for-hire vehicles (like taxis), excluding personal vehicles used with ride-hailing apps.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class B misdemeanor offenses for impersonating ride-hail/taxi drivers, expanding criminalization in transportation sector. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increased criminalization.95% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 478: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an annual training pay bonus supplement for eligible campus police officers and public safety officers in the amount of $800. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38 and Section 49-7-118.

SB 478 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police officers and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill also ensures officers who served in active military duty during designated conflicts (and were unable to attend training due to service) receive the bonus regardless of training completion. This applies to officers at institutions covered under Tennessee’s campus law enforcement statutes. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement training via $800 annual bonus for campus officers, strengthening officer preparedness and retention under criminal justice law enforcement policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $800 annual cash bonus for eligible campus police officers completing training, expanding their compensation benefits per Labor & Employment topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSpecifically grants $800 bonus to officers who served in military conflicts and missed training due to service, recognizing veteran contributions in law enforcement roles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 718: Courts, Juvenile - As enacted, requires a juvenile court conducting a child custody, detention, or adjudicatory proceeding to conduct the proceeding in a dedicated courtroom provided by the county that is closest in proximity to an approved detention center. - Amends TCA Title 37.

SB 718 requires Tennessee juvenile courts to hold child custody, detention, or legal hearings in a dedicated courtroom located as close as possible to the county's approved juvenile detention facility. This applies to courts that use a detention center approved by the Department of Children's Services for housing detained youth. The law aims to reduce the humiliation and unnecessary transportation of detained children by minimizing public exposure and restraints during court appearances. It does not change detention standards or confidentiality rules but mandates specific courtroom location practices for these proceedings. The bill became effective October 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces juvenile trauma by minimizing court transport/public exposure, aligning with reform goals to improve court procedures for detained youth.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice