Criminal Justice

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 1055: Expunction - As enacted, reorganizes present statutes concerning expunction and specifies that facilitation, attempt, or solicitation of an offense that is presently eligible for expunction is also eligible for expunction. - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 16; Title 38; Title 40; Title 55 and Title 57.

SB 1055 expands Tennessee's expungement eligibility to include individuals who facilitated, attempted, or solicited crimes that were previously eligible for expungement. This change directly affects people with certain criminal records who could not previously clear related charges like planning or aiding a crime. The bill revises multiple Tennessee statutes (Titles 7, 16, 38, 40, 55, and 57) to add these scenarios to the list of eligible offenses for expungement. The law, effective April 24, 2025, simplifies the process by aligning statutory language to reflect this expanded eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement eligibility to include facilitation/attempts of eligible offenses, directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for individuals with certain records and promoting rehabilitation.95% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1350: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, allows a court to issue an extreme risk protection order upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that a person poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to the person or others if allowed to possess or purchase a firearm; authorizes a law enforcement officer or relative to file a petition for an extreme risk protection order; creates an offense to store or keep a firearm in any place unless the firearm is secured in a locked container, unloaded, and separate from ammunition except when the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user; prohibits a gun dealer from delivering a firearm to a purchaser until 15 business days after the completion of certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

SB 1350 proposes a new "extreme risk protection order" (ERPO) process in Tennessee, allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a significant danger to themselves or others. Law enforcement officers or close relatives can file petitions with clear evidence of risk, leading to a court hearing within 14 days and potential 12-month orders. The bill also requires firearms to be stored unloaded and locked away from ammunition (except during lawful use) and adds a 15-business-day waiting period for gun purchases after background checks. These changes would directly affect firearm owners facing ERPO petitions or subject to storage rules. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIntroduces ERPOs to prevent firearm access for high-risk individuals, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

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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 · House May 13, 2025

HB 1229: Forfeiture of Assets - As enacted, removes the requirement for a claimant to post a bond when filing a claim to seized property. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 33.

HB 1229 modifies Tennessee's asset forfeiture laws by removing the requirement for claimants to post a bond when filing claims for seized property. This change directly affects individuals or businesses seeking to recover property seized by law enforcement under forfeiture proceedings. The bill deletes language requiring a "cost bond or" in Tennessee Code Annotated §40-33-205(a) and removes subsection (b) from §40-33-206, streamlining the claim process. The law will take effect July 1, 2025, applying to all seizures occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves bond requirement for property claimants, reducing barriers to reclaim seized assets and protecting civil rights in forfeiture proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 932: DUI Offenses - As enacted, creates a distance to drive program study committee to help determine the feasibility of implementing a distance to drive program that would facilitate reinstatement of suspended and revoked driver licenses for criminal defendants based on meeting the objectives set by the court and completing all the requirements set by the department of safety. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

SB 932 creates a study committee to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a "distance to drive" program for individuals with suspended or revoked driver licenses due to DUI offenses. The program would allow license reinstatement if participants meet court-mandated objectives and complete all requirements set by the Department of Safety. This bill does not create the program itself but establishes a committee to study its potential implementation, directly affecting people convicted of DUI with license suspensions. The committee’s findings would inform future legislative decisions about the program, with no immediate policy changes enacted by this bill.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates study committee for DUI license reinstatement program, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to reintegration for criminal defendants, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 34: Juvenile Offenders - As enacted, permits a court to use juvenile court records, including the disposition and evidence, in pretrial reports used to set bond for certain criminal offenses; requires the magistrate to consider the defendant's prior juvenile record in determining the defendant's risk of danger to the community. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 40.

HB 34 (Tennessee) changes how juvenile court records can be used in adult criminal cases. It permits courts to include juvenile records (like case outcomes and evidence) in pretrial reports used to set bond for certain criminal offenses. The bill also requires judges to consider a defendant's prior juvenile record when assessing their risk of harming the community. This directly affects individuals with past juvenile court involvement who face adult criminal charges, altering how their history influences bond decisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill permits juvenile records to be used in adult bond hearings and risk assessment, potentially increasing pretrial detention and punitive outcomes. This expands criminalization of past behavior and reduces defendant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 846: Courts - As enacted, enacts the "Violent Criminal Court Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 10; Title 16; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41 and Title 55.

SB 846 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to submit its annual report on narcotics investigations to the House criminal justice committee and Senate judiciary committee by February 15 each year, instead of the previous annual deadline. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections to update the submission timeline and committee references. This change affects the TBI’s narcotics division and the legislative committees overseeing criminal justice oversight. The bill focuses solely on adjusting the reporting schedule, with no new policy requirements or funding impacts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates timely legislative oversight of TBI narcotics investigations, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal justice operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 167: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, enacts "MaKayla's Law," which amends the offense of reckless endangerment to specifically include a person's reckless failure to render inoperable or safely secure or lock a firearm, resulting in a child under 13 gaining possession of the firearm and injuring or killing the child or another. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

HB 167, known as "MaKayla's Law," amends Tennessee's reckless endangerment law to specifically address firearm safety. It makes it a felony for an adult who fails to lock, secure, or store a firearm safely, resulting in a child under 13 gaining access, discharging it, and causing injury or death. The law creates two new felony charges: a Class E felony for bodily injury and a Class C felony for death. This directly affects firearm owners in households with children under 13, imposing criminal penalties for negligent storage that leads to harm. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony charges for firearm negligence, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, opposing criminal justice reform efforts by adding stricter sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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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 Apr 15, 2026

HB 473: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, requires a person arrested for a felony offense to have a biological specimen taken by the arresting authority for the purpose of DNA analysis to determine identification characteristics specific to the person. - Amends TCA Title 18; Title 38, Chapter 6; Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

HB 473 requires law enforcement in Tennessee to collect a mouth swab DNA sample from anyone arrested for a felony offense on or after July 1, 2025. The sample must be taken before the person is released from custody and sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for analysis. If charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted, the DNA sample and records must be destroyed, unless other felony charges are pending. This law directly affects all individuals arrested for felonies in Tennessee after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires DNA collection for identification with destruction clause if charges dismissed, protecting civil rights within criminal procedure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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