Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 1177: Expunction - As introduced, authorizes court clerks in certain counties to implement an automatic expunction processing program that initiates processing the expunction of public records without petition by the person, certification of eligibility from the TBI, or court order in certain limited circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 32.

SB 1177 allows court clerks in Tennessee counties with over 366,200 residents (like Nashville) to automatically expunge eligible criminal records without requiring individuals to file petitions or obtain court orders. It applies specifically to people qualifying for expungement under certain categories (e.g., dismissed charges or specific misdemeanor convictions) without cost. Court clerks would process these expungements directly, and other agencies must treat their notice as equivalent to a court order. This reduces barriers for eligible individuals in large counties by eliminating the need for them to navigate the traditional petition process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates expungement for eligible records (dismissed charges/misdemeanors), reducing barriers to employment/housing and advancing criminal justice reform by promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1217: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, adds the availability of services relating to housing as an issue that must be addressed in the orientation that the department is required to conduct before an inmate is released from confinement. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1217 amends Tennessee law to require the Department of Correction to address housing services during pre-release orientation for inmates. It updates existing provisions by replacing "education, employment" with "education, housing, employment" in the required orientation content. This change directly affects inmates transitioning from confinement and the Department of Correction, mandating they receive support related to housing stability. The bill focuses on concrete policy adjustments to improve post-release planning, without altering other aspects of the correctional process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds housing services to pre-release orientation, addressing a key reentry need to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates housing services in inmate pre-release orientation, directly supporting housing stability for transitioning individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 944: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, requires the department of mental health and substance abuse services to establish a mental health evaluation process for a community mental health center or qualified mental health professional to evaluate a defendant convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a court in which a person is convicted of any such offense to order the offender to undergo a mental health evaluation prior to the sentencing hearing. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 944 requires courts to order mental health evaluations for defendants convicted of domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, or aggravated cruelty to animals before sentencing. The evaluations must be conducted by community mental health centers or qualified professionals and are intended to inform sentencing decisions. This bill amends Tennessee law (Titles 33, 39, and 40) to establish this process, directly affecting individuals convicted of these specific offenses. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for the underlying crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health evaluations pre-sentencing for specific offenses to inform sentencing, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1204: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," which creates a Class E felony for the reckless discharge of a firearm while operating, or as a passenger in, a motor vehicle; creates a Class A misdemeanor for the reckless brandishing or display of a firearm while operating, or as a passenger in, a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

SB 1204, the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," creates new criminal penalties for firearm-related conduct in vehicles. It makes it a Class E felony to recklessly discharge a firearm while operating or riding in a motor vehicle, and a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly display or brandish a firearm in the same situation. The law directly affects drivers and passengers who engage in these actions, applying to all motor vehicles under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1902 and 39-17-1903, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates felony/misdemeanor penalties for firearm use in vehicles, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1081: Expunction - As introduced, lowers the period of time that must elapse after completion of the sentence imposed before a petitioner may have an eligible criminal offense expunged, for misdemeanors or Class E felonies, from five years to three years, and for Class D felonies, from 10 years to six years. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1081 shortens the waiting period for clearing certain criminal records in Tennessee. It reduces the required time from 5 years to 3 years for misdemeanors or Class E felonies, and from 10 years to 6 years for Class D felonies after completing a sentence. This change directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who seek to have their records expunged. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-32-101(g)(2)(B) and (k)(1)(C) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens expungement waiting periods, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for individuals with past convictions to clear records.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1165: Sentencing - As introduced, adds as an enhancement factor to be used in determining the sentence within the permissible range for a criminal offense that the defendant is an adult and committed the offense with a minor, regardless of whether the minor was convicted of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1165 amends Tennessee sentencing laws to require judges to consider as a sentencing factor that an adult defendant committed a criminal offense with a minor, regardless of whether the minor was convicted. This change directly affects adult defendants in criminal cases where a minor was involved in the offense. The bill adds this factor to the list of considerations judges must weigh when determining a sentence within the legally permitted range. It applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025, and would impact sentencing outcomes for such cases statewide.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds sentencing enhancement for adults involving minors, increasing severity of penalties per bill's explicit language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 745: Motor Vehicles - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for a person who is in the United States without legal authorization to operate a motor vehicle without possessing a valid driver license and evidence of financial responsibility; limits the fine for such offense to a maximum of $1,000. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

SB 745 creates a Class A misdemeanor for individuals in the U.S. without legal authorization who operate a motor vehicle without both a valid driver's license and proof of financial responsibility (like insurance). It directly affects undocumented immigrants who drive without meeting these specific documentation requirements. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39 and 55 to establish this offense, limiting the maximum fine to $1,000. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for undocumented drivers, expanding criminalization without reform measures, directly increasing penalties for a specific group.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill criminalizes undocumented immigrants driving without license/insurance, increasing state enforcement and restricting immigrant activities, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 241: Mental Illness - As introduced, requires the chief officer of an inpatient mental health treatment resource to notify the committing court if a patient who was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment becomes eligible for discharge; permits the court to hold a hearing to determine whether to order the person's return to the hospital under the original commitment or order the person's release from involuntary commitment in accordance with the recommendations of the chief officer. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 52.

SB 241 requires inpatient mental health facilities in Tennessee to notify the court that ordered a patient's involuntary commitment when the patient becomes eligible for discharge. The court can then hold a hearing within 21 days to decide whether to release the patient or return them to the hospital based on the facility's recommendation. This bill directly affects patients under involuntary commitment, mental health facilities, and the courts handling these cases. The law, set to take effect July 1, 2025, modifies existing procedures in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33, and Title 52.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires court review for involuntary mental health discharge, protecting patient rights and ensuring due process within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires court review for involuntary mental health discharge, ensuring patient rights and proper care transitions per facility recommendations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Hospitals

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1191: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," which creates a Class E felony for the reckless discharge of a firearm while operating, or as a passenger in, a motor vehicle; creates a Class A misdemeanor for the reckless brandishing or display of a firearm while operating, or as a passenger in, a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

HB 1191, the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2024," creates a Class E felony for recklessly discharging a firearm while operating or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle, and a Class A misdemeanor for recklessly brandishing or displaying a firearm in the same situation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Titles 39 (crimes) and 55 (vehicles), to establish these specific penalties. It directly affects drivers and passengers who engage in these firearm-related actions in vehicles, with the law scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony/misdemeanor penalties for firearm misuse in vehicles, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 790: Law Enforcement Training Academy - As enacted, requires the peace officer standards and training commission to issue a certificate of compliance to a person appointed as a private special deputy on or after January 1, 2026, if the person meets the qualifications for employment as a police officer and satisfactorily completes an approved recruit training program; requires annual in-service training sessions to retain such certification. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 38 and Title 49.

SB 790 requires private special deputies in Tennessee (appointed on or after January 1, 2026) to obtain a certificate of compliance from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. To qualify, they must meet standard police officer requirements and complete an approved recruit training program. The bill also mandates annual in-service training sessions to maintain this certification. This law amends Tennessee Code to establish these training and certification standards for private special deputies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training and certification standards for private deputies, enhancing law enforcement accountability and professional standards per TCA amendments.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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