Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 1140: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes the offense of possession of a used, detached catalytic converter by an unauthorized person punishable by a term of imprisonment not greater than 11 months, 29 days; a fine not to exceed $2,500; or both, instead of only subject to a fine. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39; Title 55 and Title 62.

HB 1140 reclassifies the unauthorized possession of a used, detached catalytic converter as a Class E felony in Tennessee, instead of a Class A misdemeanor. This change subjects offenders to potential jail time (up to 11 months, 29 days), a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses possessing catalytic converters without authorization, such as scrap dealers or auto repair shops. It amends Tennessee criminal code sections in Titles 38, 39, 55, and 62 to implement this penalty upgrade, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies catalytic converter possession as felony with jail time, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 769: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes the offense of possession of a used, detached catalytic converter by an unauthorized person punishable by a term of imprisonment not greater than 11 months, 29 days; a fine not to exceed $2,500; or both, instead of only subject to a fine. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39; Title 55 and Title 62.

SB 769 changes Tennessee law to treat unauthorized possession of a used, detached catalytic converter as a felony instead of a minor misdemeanor. It makes this offense punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses that possess catalytic converters without authorization, such as scrap recyclers or those who may have stolen them. This policy update strengthens penalties to deter catalytic converter theft, which is a growing problem across the state.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for catalytic converter possession, expanding criminalization from misdemeanor to felony, aligning with indicators of restricted defendant rights and expanded criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 243: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

SB 243 creates a Class E felony for altering, defacing, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or distinguishing mark, or for selling, purchasing, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle firearms with altered markings. The bill imposes a mandatory minimum 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no possibility of early release. This law amends Tennessee Code sections covering criminal offenses related to firearms and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 180-day sentence for firearm serial number alteration, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per Criminal Justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 588: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

HB 588 creates a new Class E felony for altering, covering, defacing, destroying, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or other distinguishing mark, or for selling, buying, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle altered guns. The bill imposes a mandatory 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no eligibility for early release. If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2025, and amend Tennessee’s criminal code sections related to firearms and offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates mandatory 180-day sentence for firearm serial number tampering, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Jan 15, 2025

HB 74: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, establishes mandatory minimum penalties of 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine for a person convicted of knowingly selling or distributing a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21 years of age. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 43, Chapter 27 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

HB 74 would have imposed mandatory penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products (like CBD) to anyone under 21. Specifically, it would require a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and a $500 fine for sellers convicted of this offense. The bill aimed to amend Tennessee law to cover these sales under existing criminal statutes. However, the bill was introduced on January 14, 2025, but withdrawn the next day and not advanced further. It is no longer active legislation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum penalties (48h jail/$500 fine) for selling hemp products to minors, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing - direct OPPOSE indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 15, 2025

SB 120: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the Class C felony offense of aggravated assault against a first responder to include knowingly possessing fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or a fentanyl analogue in a manner that would be reasonably foreseen to expose a first responder to the substance while the first responder is discharging or attempting to discharge the first responder's official duties and the first responder is exposed resulting in the serious bodily injury or death of the first responder. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 120 expands Tennessee's Class C felony charge for aggravated assault against first responders to include knowingly possessing specific fentanyl-related substances (fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or analogues) in a way that could reasonably expose a first responder to the substance during their official duties. This applies when the exposure results in serious bodily injury or death to the first responder. The bill defines "expose" as direct contact via touch, ingestion, or inhalation and imposes a mandatory $15,000 fine and 90-day minimum jail sentence for violations. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding fentanyl possession near first responders to Class C felony, increasing penalties for endangering law enforcement. Fits 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 829: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates the Class B misdemeanor of intentionally refusing a law enforcement officer's request to exit from a motor vehicle during a lawful traffic stop. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16.

SB 829 creates a new Class B misdemeanor offense for drivers who intentionally refuse to exit their vehicle when lawfully stopped by police. It directly affects individuals stopped during traffic stops who ignore an officer's request to leave their vehicle. The bill amends Tennessee law to define this refusal as a punishable offense, with penalties including fines or up to 60 days in jail. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies only during lawful traffic stops where the officer has a valid reason to stop the vehicle.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class B misdemeanor for refusing to exit vehicle during lawful stop, expanding criminalization without reform elements or accountability measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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