Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 1614: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires state and local criminal justice agencies to share all criminal justice data and records, including relevant personally identifying information and demographic information, held by that agency with a bona fide researcher for the purpose of facilitating and promoting criminal justice research. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 38.

SB 1614 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments, courts, and corrections) to share specific criminal justice data - including personal details like race, age, and arrest records - with approved researchers. The bill mandates sharing data on stops, arrests, sentencing, and corrections programs, but only to researchers who meet strict criteria (e.g., institutional review board approval and security protocols to protect privacy). Agencies cannot charge more than actual costs for data access, and this sharing does not count as public disclosure under existing laws. The law takes effect in 2026, with agencies required to implement it by 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires data sharing for research to promote evidence-based reform, aligning with support indicators like enhancing accountability through transparency in criminal justice practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 1547: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires state and local criminal justice agencies to share all criminal justice data and records, including relevant personally identifying information and demographic information, held by that agency with a bona fide researcher for the purpose of facilitating and promoting criminal justice research. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 38.

HB 1547 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments and courts) to share specific criminal justice data with qualified researchers. This includes personal details, demographic information, and records about stops, arrests, sentencing, and supervision programs. To qualify, researchers must have institutional review board approval, agree to use data only for research, and maintain strict security protocols to protect sensitive information. The bill does not make data publicly available but creates a formal process for researchers to access it for studies aimed at improving criminal justice outcomes. Agencies must comply by January 2027, though they may charge reasonable fees for data retrieval.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates data sharing for research to inform criminal justice reform, aligning with indicators like enhancing accountability and promoting evidence-based policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1484: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts "The Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act." - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 7 and Title 39.

HB 1484, the "Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act," requires Tennessee district attorneys to submit reports within 24 hours to state and federal officials whenever they take specific actions (like plea deals, charge reductions, or case dismissals) related to felony cases stemming from Operation Viper or the Memphis Safe Task Force. It directly affects district attorneys in judicial districts where these federal task forces operate. The bill mandates these reports be submitted to the Attorney General, legislative leaders, the District Attorneys General Conference, and the relevant U.S. Attorney. The key provision creates a standardized reporting mechanism to increase transparency around prosecutorial decisions involving these specific law enforcement initiatives. This is a procedural requirement focused on accountability, not on changing criminal penalties or policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rapid reporting on prosecutorial actions to enhance oversight and accountability in criminal justice cases involving federal task forces.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2011: Law Enforcement - As introduced, enacts the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)." - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 39.

SB 2011, titled the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)," prohibits Tennessee law enforcement officers from wearing masks, face coverings, or personal disguises while interacting with the public during official duties. The bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers during public interactions, with exceptions for N95 masks during health emergencies, smoke protection during natural disasters, and SWAT team gear for physical safety. It also requires officers to visibly display their name or badge number on their uniform. Violations would be Class C misdemeanors, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement visibility during public interactions, enhancing accountability - a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 1937: Immigration - As introduced, enacts the “Tennessee Freedom from Unlawful Immigration Detention Act.” - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 38; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1937 prohibits Tennessee law enforcement agencies from detaining individuals based solely on ICE immigration detainers, administrative warrants, or suspected immigration status. It requires ICE to present a valid judicial warrant (signed by a judge, showing probable cause) for any detention or transfer to ICE, and bans transfers that extend detention beyond state law release dates. The bill creates civil liability for unlawful detention, allowing affected individuals to sue for $1,000 per day in damages plus attorney fees. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and explicitly states that compliance with ICE requests does not excuse violations of state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts unlawful immigration detentions by law enforcement, requiring judicial warrants and protecting civil rights, aligns with accountability reforms in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state detention based on immigration status, requires judicial warrants for ICE, creates civil liability - limits state cooperation with federal enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 1815: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As enacted, authorizes a sheriff, jail administrator, or deputy jailer to refuse or delay acceptance into the jail of an arrestee if the arrestee has not received medical treatment for obvious serious physical injuries or conditions of an emergency nature; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 8; Title 29; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1815 allows jails to refuse accepting arrestees who require medical attention and were arrested for a non-violent misdemeanor (not a crime against a person). The arresting agency must arrange for a healthcare provider to evaluate the person and obtain a release form confirming they no longer need medical care or can be confined. If the healthcare provider provides this release form, the jail must accept the person. The bill directly affects individuals arrested for minor non-violent offenses needing medical care at the time of arrest.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents unnecessary jail intake for non-violent misdemeanor arrestees needing medical care, aligning with reform goals by protecting civil rights and reducing avoidable incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 501: Children and Youth, Commission on - As enacted, creates the Tennessee juvenile justice review commission to review an appropriate sampling of juvenile justice cases and any critical incidents involving juveniles in order to provide the general assembly with findings and legislative recommendations. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 37.

HB 501 creates the Tennessee Juvenile Justice Review Commission to examine juvenile justice cases and critical incidents involving youth in state custody. The commission will review specific cases (like repeat offenses or those with systemic issues such as extended detention or out-of-state placements) and incidents (like escapes, self-harm, or staff abuse allegations) to identify patterns and make legislative recommendations. It must report its findings annually to the Tennessee General Assembly starting in 2028. The commission includes members from child services, education, mental health, courts, public defense, law enforcement, and child development fields. This bill directly affects how Tennessee reviews and improves its juvenile justice system, focusing on policy changes based on case data rather than individual outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates juvenile justice review commission to identify systemic issues and recommend reforms, directly advancing criminal justice reform through case review and legislative recommendations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 122: Safety, Dept. of - As enacted, specifies that the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network is the division of the department of safety that operates, maintains, and oversees the statewide P25 interoperable communications system; authorizes the department to collect and use fees and assessments for the improvement of the system in addition to collection and use of such fees for the system's use and maintenance. - Amends TCA Section 4-3-2018.

HB 122 amends Tennessee law to designate the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN) as the specific division within the Department of Safety responsible for operating, maintaining, and overseeing the statewide P25 interoperable communications system. The bill authorizes the Department of Safety to collect fees and assessments for the system's maintenance, use, and improvement - beyond existing fees for system access. All collected funds must be used exclusively for the system's maintenance, use, and improvement, as specified by department rules. This change clarifies administrative responsibility and funding mechanisms for emergency communications infrastructure used by law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes fees for law enforcement communications system maintenance, directly supporting operational capabilities within criminal justice infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 1095: 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.

HB 1095 requires Tennessee's Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to issue a certification to private special deputies appointed on or after January 1, 2026, if they meet police officer qualifications and complete an approved recruit training program. To maintain this certification, special deputies must also complete annual in-service training sessions relevant to their duties. The bill directly affects private special deputies employed by entities like private security firms or businesses with law enforcement authority. It updates existing training requirements in Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 38, and 49) to standardize certification for this specific role, effective March 28, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mandatory training for private special deputies, enhancing law enforcement standards and accountability within criminal justice framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 1177: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, increases from 11 months and 29 days to two years from the date of arrest the time within which misdemeanor charges against a defendant who has been found incompetent must be retired unless the defendant is restored to competency; adds to present law that, when a defendant whose misdemeanor charges were retired due to a finding of incompetency is released into the community, the chief officer is required to notify the court of the defendant's discharge and provide the court and the sheriff with an outpatient treatment plan that accounts for the safety of the community. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52.

HB 1177 extends the time limit for filing misdemeanor charges against defendants found incompetent to stand trial from 11 months and 29 days to two years after arrest, unless the defendant is restored to competency. It directly affects misdemeanor defendants declared incompetent by a court, requiring prosecutors to move faster or dismiss charges if competency isn't restored. The bill also mandates that when such a defendant is released into the community after charges are dismissed due to incompetence, the chief officer must notify the court, provide a discharge notice, and share an outpatient treatment plan designed to ensure community safety. These changes update Tennessee Code Sections 33-7-301 and 52-6-102.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates outpatient treatment plans for dismissed incompetent defendants, prioritizing community safety through rehabilitation over prolonged detention, aligning with reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement