Criminal Justice (Courts)

died · Tennessee · House May 4, 2026

HB 2078: Courts - As enacted, enacts the "Parental Rights Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 8 and Title 40, Chapter 11.

HB 2078, the "Parental Rights Protection Act," requires courts to hold a quick court review within 15 days if a criminal defendant's bond restricts their contact with, custody of, or visitation with a minor child (who isn't a victim of the crime). The government must prove, with clear evidence, that a serious threat to the child exists, less restrictive options won't work, and the restriction is truly in the child's best interest. If the court doesn't hold the review on time, the bond condition automatically cancels. The bill also presumes that parental contact is generally in a child's best interest. This directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee facing bond conditions involving their children.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires courts to justify bond restrictions on parental contact with evidence, protecting defendants' rights and ensuring due process per criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Tennessee · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 1638: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, increases from 90 to 100 days of receiving a valid judgment of conviction for when the department has to notify the victim witness coordinator of the scheduled parole hearing date when the inmate will be eligible for parole consideration. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1638 extends the timeframe for the Tennessee Department of Correction to notify victims about parole hearings. It changes the deadline from 90 to 100 days after a court conviction for inmates eligible for parole consideration. This affects the Department of Correction (which must send notifications) and victim witness coordinators (who receive them). The bill amends Tennessee law to give the Department an extra 10 days for this notification process, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends victim notification timeline for parole hearings, enhancing victim rights and procedural transparency in criminal justice85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2085: Victims' Rights - As enacted, authorizes a court clerk to increase the victims assistance assessment from $45 to $125, with the first $15 of each assessment being paid to the court clerk for processing and handling and the remaining amount being transmitted to the county in which the offense occurred for the exclusive use of the victims assistance program previously designated by the county legislative body. - Amends TCA Section 40-24-109.

SB 2085 (Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-24-109) increases the victims' assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of certain crimes, including those who plead guilty, are found guilty, or enter diversion programs. The fee applies to criminal cases in Tennessee courts and directly affects convicted defendants. The bill specifies that $15 of each assessment goes to the court clerk for processing, while the remaining $110 must be sent to the county’s designated victim assistance program. This change redirects funding to support local victim services under existing state law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases fee revenue ($110/case) directly funding county victim assistance programs, advancing public service funding under budget/tax framework.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases funding for victim assistance programs via higher fees on convicted defendants, directly supporting victims within the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1721: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, prohibits a court from assessing court costs against a defendant in a criminal proceeding if the defendant is found not guilty by a jury or by a judge following a bench trial on all charges for which the defendant was accused, the prosecution is dismissed or a nolle prosequi is entered by the state, or the charges against the defendant are dismissed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1721 would prevent courts from charging defendants with court costs in Tennessee criminal cases under three specific circumstances: when a defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge on all charges), when the state dismisses charges or enters a "nolle prosequi" (a formal decision not to prosecute), or when a court dismisses the charges. This directly affects individuals who are acquitted or have their criminal cases dropped without conviction. The bill amends Tennessee law to require courts to waive all court costs in these situations, eliminating financial penalties for cleared defendants. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents court costs for acquitted defendants, aligning with civil rights protection and reducing financial burdens in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1895: DUI Offenses - As introduced, allows a person convicted of driving under the influence of an intoxicant involving alcohol or opioids to agree to receive naltrexone injections at the person's own expense for a period of 12 continuous months in lieu of being required to operate only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

SB 1895 allows individuals convicted of DUI involving alcohol or opioids to choose receiving naltrexone injections (paid for by the individual) for 12 months instead of being required to use an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. This option is available at the court's discretion during sentencing for DUI offenses under Tennessee law. The court must include reporting requirements for the naltrexone treatment as a probation condition, and failure to comply could lead to probation revocation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-401 and 55-10-409 to implement this alternative sentencing mechanism. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeOffers addiction treatment (naltrexone) as alternative sentencing for DUI, promoting rehabilitation over punitive measures and addressing root causes of offenses.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides naltrexone treatment (for opioid/alcohol addiction) as an alternative to ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders, facilitating access to substance use disorder healthcare within sentencing.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationReplaces mandatory ignition interlock (vehicle safety device) with medical treatment, reducing enforcement of transportation safety standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1928: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, adds "a victim" to the definition of an individual involved in the judicial process for purposes of the criminal offense of harming or threatening to harm an individual involved in the judicial process; makes various other changes regarding victims of crime. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1928 updates Tennessee law to clarify who qualifies as a "victim" in criminal cases. It adds victims and their representatives to court procedures (e.g., allowing a victim’s designated representative to attend proceedings), expands the definition to include entities like insurance companies that compensated victims, and specifies protections for victims in cases involving vehicular homicide or evading arrest that caused injury. This directly affects crime victims seeking legal protections during court proceedings. The bill makes these definitions more explicit to ensure victims’ voices are heard in the judicial process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim protections by clarifying definitions, allowing representatives to attend proceedings, and including entities like insurance companies, directly strengthening victim-centered criminal justice95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1748: Clerks, Court - As enacted, requires a person ordered to use an ignition interlock device to provide the clerk of the court with documentation showing qualifications for certain assistance on the date the person was ordered to use the device to show need to participate in the electronic monitoring indigency fund. - Amends TCA Section 55-10-419.

HB 1748 requires individuals ordered to use an ignition interlock device (typically for DUI offenses) to provide the court clerk with documentation proving they qualify for financial assistance (like Medicaid or food stamps) on the date they were ordered to use the device. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate this documentation and authorizes the state treasurer to verify eligibility through agreements with state agencies. It directly affects DUI offenders who may qualify for reduced costs on ignition interlock devices through the electronic monitoring indigency fund. The key mechanism is creating a verification process to determine eligibility for cost assistance, replacing previous requirements with a standardized documentation and state agency cooperation system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires financial documentation for DUI offenders to access reduced ignition interlock costs, reducing barriers for indigent defendants and promoting compliance without undue hardship, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1471: Courts - As enacted, removes a conviction for domestic assault from the definition of a violent offender for purposes of drug treatment courts; changes the definition of a violent offender for purposes of drug treatment courts from an offender with a conviction for an offense involving certain acts to an offender with a conviction for a felony offense involving certain acts within the previous 10 years. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 22.

HB 1471 amends Tennessee law to change the definition of a "violent offender" for drug treatment court eligibility. It removes convictions for domestic assault (if not a felony) from being counted as a violent offense, instead requiring a felony conviction for certain acts within the previous 10 years. This change would allow more individuals with non-felony domestic assault convictions to qualify for drug treatment courts. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands drug treatment court eligibility by removing non-felony domestic assault from violent offender definition, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to drug treatment programs (a healthcare service) by removing non-felony domestic assault from violent offender definition, broadening eligibility for treatment courts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2023: Victims' Rights - As enacted, authorizes a court clerk to increase the victims assistance assessment from $45 to $125, with the first $15 of each assessment being paid to the court clerk for processing and handling and the remaining amount being transmitted to the county in which the offense occurred for the exclusive use of the victims assistance program previously designated by the county legislative body. - Amends TCA Section 40-24-109.

HB 2023 increases the victims assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to criminal offenses in Tennessee courts. The first $15 of the fee goes to the court clerk for processing costs, while the remaining $110 is directed to county-designated victim assistance programs. This change applies to all criminal cases where a defendant enters a guilty plea, is found guilty, enters a nolo contendere plea, or is found criminally responsible for qualifying offenses. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-24-109, to implement this funding shift without altering eligibility for victim services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases victims' assessment fee to fund county victim assistance programs, directly allocating $110 per case to public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim assistance funding from $45 to $125, directing $110 to county victim programs, directly strengthening victims' rights within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1717: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a criminal offense of knowingly violating a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or conditions of probation or parole following conviction for certain criminal offenses in which the alleged victim of the offense is a domestic abuse victim; punishes a violation as a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1717 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly violate a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole conditions following a conviction for a domestic abuse offense. It directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse crimes who break court-ordered no contact restrictions with the alleged victim. The bill amends Tennessee law to expand the scope of violations to include post-conviction orders (not just pre-trial) and clarifies that violations apply when the alleged victim is defined as a domestic abuse victim under state law. This change takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victim protection by criminalizing no-contact order violations post-conviction for domestic abuse, advancing accountability in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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