Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 445: Public Defenders - As enacted, creates five additional assistant district public defender positions effective July 1, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4.

SB 445 adds five new assistant district public defender positions in Tennessee, effective July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects public defender offices by increasing staffing capacity to handle caseloads for indigent defendants. The key provision amends Tennessee law to create these positions, aiming to improve resource allocation within public defense systems. The change applies statewide to district public defender offices under Titles 8 and 9 of the Tennessee Code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds public defender staffing to improve resource allocation for indigent defendants, directly strengthening public defense within criminal justice system.92% confidence

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 159: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for reckless endangerment committed by discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony, unless the motor vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the offense, in which event it is a Class D felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

HB 159, introduced in Tennessee but withdrawn on February 5, 2025, would have increased penalties for reckless endangerment involving firearms. Specifically, it proposed raising the penalty for discharging a firearm (including antique firearms) into an *occupied* motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony. If the vehicle was unoccupied at the time, the offense would have remained a Class D felony. The bill directly affected individuals who recklessly fire into vehicles, aiming to strengthen criminal penalties for this specific dangerous act.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for firearm-related reckless endangerment, raising felony class from E to C for occupied vehicles, making punishment harsher per sentencing indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SJR 25: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 15 of the Constitution of Tennessee to remove the right to bail for the following offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great: act of terrorism; second degree murder; aggravated rape of a child; aggravated rape; grave torture; and any other offense, as of November 3, 2026, for which a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least 85 percent of the entire sentence imposed. -

Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution 25 proposes a constitutional amendment that would remove the right to bail for specific serious offenses when evidence is strong. It targets charges including terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, and any other offense where a conviction would require serving at least 85% of the sentence before release. Judges would be required to document their bail decisions for these cases, and the amendment would take effect on November 3, 2026. The proposal must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to become part of Tennessee's constitution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves bail rights for severe crimes, restricting defendant liberties and increasing mandatory detention - directly opposes bail reform trends.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 985: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, removes the criminal offense of possession of a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted; removes the requirement that the department of safety suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for a violation of that offense by a handgun permit holder. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 985 modifies Tennessee's firearm laws by removing the criminal offense for possessing a weapon in a properly posted building or property, and eliminating automatic permit suspensions for this violation. It requires property owners who restrict firearms to post clear signage, install metal detectors at all public entrances, and have trained security officers inspect all visitors and bags. This primarily affects businesses, venues, and property managers seeking to prohibit firearms, while exempting libraries, law enforcement buildings, Head Start facilities, and certain licensed properties. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and shifts enforcement focus to physical security measures rather than criminal penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal offense for weapon possession in properly posted areas, reducing unnecessary criminalization in firearm laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 143: 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.

HB 143 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 reasonably exposes first responders to those substances during official duties. This directly affects individuals who possess these drugs in circumstances where exposure could cause serious injury or death to a first responder. The bill defines "expose" as direct contact via touch, ingestion, or inhalation and sets a mandatory $15,000 fine plus a 90-day minimum jail term with no early release. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to cases where the first responder suffers serious injury or death due to the exposure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding fentanyl possession as aggravated assault against first responders, increasing penalties for drug-related offenses targeting public safety.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 1057: 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.

HB 1057, "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," would create a program allowing parolees in Tennessee to earn early termination of supervision. To qualify, parolees must have stable employment for six months, no violations or arrests while on parole, and complete all required rehabilitation programs. The program would use an earned time credit system (similar to credits for inmates) to gradually reduce supervision, aiming for full parole discharge after five years. It directly affects parolees meeting these criteria and requires the Department of Correction to develop the program with annual eligibility reviews.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates earned time credits for parolees meeting rehabilitation/employment criteria, reducing supervision duration to lower recidivism and promote reintegration per bill's stated goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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vetoed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 455: Probation and Parole - As introduced, removes the limitations on the board of parole's authority to deny parole based solely on the seriousness of the offense for certain offenses to allow denial based on the seriousness of the offense for any offense. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35, Part 5.

SB 455 would have removed a restriction on Tennessee's parole board, allowing it to deny parole based solely on the seriousness of an offense for *any* crime - not just specific offenses previously covered. This change would directly affect incarcerated individuals in Tennessee whose parole eligibility is reviewed by the board. The bill amended Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-35-503(b)(2)(A) to remove the phrase requiring parole denial to "depreciate the seriousness of the crime," broadening the board's authority. The bill was signed by legislative leaders but vetoed by the Governor on May 5, 2025, so it did not become law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves restriction on parole denial for any offense, increasing incarceration by allowing board to deny parole based solely on offense seriousness, reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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died · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 769: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a criminal offense of possessing, distributing, or producing technology, software, or digital tools designed for the purpose of creating material that includes a minor engaged in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive; establishes relevant factors to be considered in determining whether artificial technology, software, or digital tools are used or possessed with intent to create material that includes a minor engaged in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 769 makes it a crime to knowingly possess, distribute, or produce technology, software, or digital tools designed to create material featuring minors in sexual activity or extremely inappropriate simulated sexual activity. It directly affects individuals who use such tools, with penalties ranging from a Class E felony (possession) to a Class B felony (production). The law specifies that courts must consider factors like the defendant’s statements, existing material in their possession, advertising, and expert testimony to determine intent. This bill creates new criminal penalties for tools specifically intended to generate such material, not for general technology use.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for possessing tools to create CSAM, expanding criminalization with felony penalties - directly increases legal restrictions on technology use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 287: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, reduces from 10 to five business days after a death, the time within which the commissioner must report the death of a person in custody to members of the general assembly representing the legislative districts where the deceased person resided; requires that the information contained in the report include the name of the department facility where the death occurred. - Amends TCA Title 4.

HB 287 would have required Tennessee's Department of Correction to report deaths of people in custody to local state legislators within five business days (down from 10 days), instead of the current timeline. The report must include the facility name and be sent to the senator and representative for the district where the deceased person lived, based on their last known address in Tennessee. It would not apply to deaths of people whose last address was outside Tennessee. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn on February 6, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates faster reporting of custody deaths to legislators, enhancing oversight of correctional facilities per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 1234: Civil Procedure - As introduced, revives causes of action based on a sexual assault that occurred when the injured party was 18 years of age or older and are time-barred because the applicable statute of limitations has expired; allows such actions to be commenced within a certain time period. - Amends TCA Title 28, Chapter 3; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1234 revives civil lawsuits for sexual assault that were previously time-barred under Tennessee law because the statute of limitations expired. It allows survivors who were 18 or older at the time of the assault to file new lawsuits between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2027. The bill defines "sexual assault" to include specific offenses like rape, sexual battery, and incest under Tennessee Code. This provision applies only to cases dismissed before July 1, 2025, due to the time limit, not to new claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRevives civil lawsuits for sexual assault (criminal offense) time-barred under statute, aligning with criminal justice reform by expanding victim access to justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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