Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 1502: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As enacted, authorizes the Tennessee corrections institute to establish certification requirements for corrections officers and to inspect and certify local correctional training academies; makes various changes regarding plans of action that may be submitted by a local certified facility following annual inspection; allows the director and full-time employees of the Tennessee corrections institute to carry a handgun under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 41.

HB 1502 authorizes the Tennessee Corrections Institute to set training standards and certify local corrections officers and training academies for jails and lock-ups. It requires local facilities to submit plans of action within 90 days after inspections to address non-safety issues, with limits on plan duration. The bill also allows the Institute's director and full-time staff to carry firearms while performing official duties. This directly affects corrections officers, local correctional facilities, and the Tennessee Corrections Institute staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes certification standards for corrections officers and facility inspections, strengthening oversight in corrections systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1801: Election Laws - As introduced, restores a person's right of suffrage automatically upon the person's discharge from custody by reason of service or expiration of the maximum sentence imposed by the court for the infamous crime. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

SB 1801 automatically restores voting rights for people released from prison after serving a sentence for a "serious crime" (as defined by Tennessee law), without requiring a pardon or special conditions. It directly affects individuals convicted of such crimes who have completed their sentences or been discharged from custody. The key provision requires county election commissions to accept prison discharge documents as proof of restored voting rights, replacing previous requirements for gubernatorial pardons or court orders. This change applies to people released after the bill takes effect, streamlining the process for rejoining the electorate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights automatically for formerly incarcerated individuals post-sentence, advancing reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 1569: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to conduct an annual education assessment of each inmate who is serving a period of confinement for committing a felony offense to ascertain the inmate's highest grade or educational level attained, as well as their interest in continuing, completing, or advancing their education; requires the department to notify such inmates of the educational programming and opportunities available. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 41 and Title 49.

This bill requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to conduct annual education assessments for inmates serving felony sentences. The assessments determine each inmate's highest education level and interest in continuing or advancing their studies. The department must then provide written notice within 90 days of the assessment about available educational programs. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires inmate education assessments and program access to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism - core criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1765: Orders of Protection - As introduced, increases from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony the penalty for the criminal offense of violation of an order of protection if the order violated was a lifetime order of protection and the conviction that the lifetime order of protection was based on involved the use of force against a victim. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

HB 1765 upgrades penalties for violating lifetime protection orders from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony under specific conditions. It applies only when the violation involves a lifetime order (issued under TCA §36-3-627) and the original order was based on a conviction involving force against a victim. The law requires consecutive prison sentences for these violations unless a judge orders concurrent terms. This change affects individuals who breach such orders after a force-based conviction, increasing criminal penalties for repeat or severe violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades violation penalties to felony, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization under specific conditions, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Judges

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1914: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, prohibits the department from removing a state inmate from a local jail facility for the purpose of relocating the inmate to a state facility if the inmate is participating in a work release or re-entry program unless the inmate has failed to meet the work release or in-house duty requirements, or the inmate's disciplinary records warrant the inmate's removal from participation in the work release or re-entry program. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1914 prevents Tennessee's Department of Correction from moving state inmates out of local jails into state facilities if they're in a work release or re-entry program, unless the inmate fails program requirements or has disciplinary issues. This directly affects inmates participating in these community-based programs who might otherwise face sudden relocation. The bill adds a specific legal prohibition requiring the department to maintain these inmates in local jails during program participation, barring only documented failures or misconduct. It creates a concrete policy change to support continuity in rehabilitation programs by limiting arbitrary transfers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents arbitrary relocation of inmates in work release programs from local jails to state facilities, supporting community-based rehabilitation continuity and reducing program disruption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 1656: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a firefighter, emergency services personnel, or other person who responds to calls for emergency assistance from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 30-day sentence and $5,000 fine to a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum 60-day sentence and $10,000 fine. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1656 increases penalties for assaulting firefighters, emergency services personnel, or other first responders who answer emergency calls. It changes the offense from a Class A misdemeanor (with a 30-day minimum jail term and $5,000 fine) to a Class E felony (with a 60-day minimum sentence and $10,000 fine). The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39 and 40 and will take effect on July 1, 2026. This change specifically targets individuals who commit violence against emergency personnel during their duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences and fines for assaulting first responders, expanding criminalization of assault against emergency personnel per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 1607: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for assault against a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

SB 1607 changes the penalty for assaulting a first responder or law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. It requires a mandatory $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence with no early release for such offenses. The bill also establishes a separate penalty for assaulting a nurse, which would be a Class A misdemeanor with a $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum sentence. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting first responders to felony level with mandatory fines/sentences, expanding criminalization and reducing judicial discretion per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1764: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, removes the limitation on the penalty for illegally possessing a telecommunication device in a penal institution that required the Class E felony to be punished by a fine only. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1764 amends Tennessee law to change the penalty for illegally possessing a telecommunication device (like a cell phone) in a prison or jail. Currently, this offense is classified as a Class E felony but must be punished by a fine only. The bill removes that restriction, allowing standard Class E felony penalties - including potential jail time - to apply. This change directly affects individuals convicted of this offense in Tennessee's penal institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves fine-only restriction for prison cell phone possession, enabling jail time and increasing penalties for a non-violent offense, expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 1686: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to develop and implement a performance-based contracting program for each contractor with which it contracts to operate prison facilities; requires the program to make the payment of an amount equal to 25 percent of the total funds appropriated to the contractor during a fiscal year conditional upon yearly performance improvements based upon a set of performance measures. - Amends TCA Title 41.

HB 1686 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create a performance-based contracting program for private and public entities operating state prison facilities. The bill ties 25% of a contractor's annual funding to measurable improvements in 14 specific performance metrics, including staff turnover rates, inmate safety (like preventable deaths), participation in rehabilitation programs, and post-release employment or recidivism rates. Contractors must meet yearly targets for these metrics to receive the conditional funds, with failure to improve resulting in the funds returning to the state general fund. This directly affects prison contractors, not inmates or staff, by linking their payments to documented performance outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTies 25% of contractor funding to performance metrics, promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending through performance-based budgeting.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ties 25% of contractor funding to rehabilitation participation and recidivism reduction metrics, advancing criminal justice reform through performance-based accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1860: Public Records - As introduced, requires the department of correction to disclose records and information to any member of the general assembly, upon written request, to enable the member to determine whether the laws of this state are being complied with regarding inmates in the department's custody. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 10, Chapter 7; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1860 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to provide inmate-related records and information to any state legislator upon written request. This directly affects the Department of Correction (which must comply) and state legislators (who gain access to review compliance with correctional laws). The bill mandates that legislators submit specific written requests naming an inmate, sign confidentiality agreements, and keep all records on-site during review. It does not change correctional laws but creates a formal process for legislative oversight of inmate custody practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires correctional record disclosure for legislative oversight to verify law compliance, enhancing transparency in corrections and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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