Criminal Justice

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 371: Sentencing - As enacted, generally requires a person convicted of a Class A misdemeanor in general sessions court to pay for and complete a cognitive behavioral training course; requires the offender to provide proof of course completion to the court or the court’s designee within the time period specified by the court. - Amends TCA Section 40-35-302.

HB 371 requires individuals convicted of Class A or Class B misdemeanors in Tennessee to complete a behavioral training course as part of their sentencing. Offenders must pay for the course (capped at $100), provide proof of completion to the court within a court-specified timeframe, and face potential jail time (up to 10 days) for failing to comply. The course must be accessible online, offered in multiple languages, include human interaction, and be provided by certified vendors meeting specific standards. This law affects misdemeanor offenders directly and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates cognitive behavioral training for misdemeanor offenders to reduce recidivism, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 585: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires the punishment for the offense of misuse of official information to include at least 30 hours of community service work to be determined by the court, in addition to any other punishment authorized by law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 4.

HB 585 amends Tennessee law to require at least 30 hours of community service for individuals convicted of misusing official information, a Class B misdemeanor offense. This community service, determined by the court, must be added to any other penalties authorized by law. The bill directly affects public servants who misuse their official position or information. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed. The bill does not replace existing penalties but adds this community service requirement as an additional consequence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds 30 hours community service for misuse of official information (Class B misdemeanor), promoting restorative justice without increasing penalties, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 673: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, enacts the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act." - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 673, the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act," requires judges sentencing defendants for assault offenses to mandate completion of certified batterer's intervention programs (minimum 26 weeks, 3+ hours per session, max 6:1 counselor ratio) or drug/alcohol treatment as part of alternative sentencing. It directly affects individuals convicted of assault who receive alternative sentences, requiring them to complete these programs fully without shortening the term via plea agreements. The bill also adds new requirements for defendants in certain violations to attend violence-focused counseling and mandates 12+ hours yearly domestic violence training for judges and court staff. These provisions take effect July 1, 2025, and do not change assault definitions but alter sentencing conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates batterer's intervention and treatment programs for assault offenders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through structured sentencing requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · House May 14, 2026

HB 555: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases from a Class E felony to a Class D felony the offense of burglary of a conveyance. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 555 changes Tennessee's burglary law by reclassifying the offense of burglarizing a vehicle (such as a car or truck) from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. This adjustment directly affects individuals convicted of this specific type of burglary, resulting in a less severe criminal classification. The bill also updates related legal references in Tennessee Code to align with this change. It will take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases burglary of conveyance classification from Class E to Class D felony, making punishment more severe, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increasing sentencing severity.90% confidence

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1391: Expunction - As introduced, requires a clerk of a court with criminal jurisdiction to automatically remove and destroy all public records of a conviction for a Class E felony or misdemeanor that is eligible for expunction, one year after the person has completed any sentence imposed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 10; Title 18 and Title 40.

HB 1391 automatically removes and destroys public court records for certain criminal convictions one year after sentence completion. It applies to eligible Class E felony and misdemeanor convictions under existing expunction rules, directly affecting individuals with these convictions who have completed their sentences. For cases after July 1, 2025, courts must notify clerks to initiate automatic removal without cost to the person. For pre-July 2025 convictions, individuals must request the process, but clerks cannot destroy records without a court order. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 10, 18, and 40 to implement this change.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates record removal for eligible convictions, reducing barriers to reintegration and advancing criminal justice reform by promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 761: Expunction - As introduced, shortens the length of time that a petitioner must wait before having an eligible Class D felony expunged from 10 years after the completion of the sentence imposed for the offense the petitioner is seeking to have expunged, to eight years from completion. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 32.

SB 761 shortens the waiting period for people convicted of Class D felonies to clear their criminal records through expungement in Tennessee. Currently, individuals must wait 10 years after finishing their sentence to petition for expungement; this bill reduces that period to 8 years. The change applies specifically to Class D felony convictions under Tennessee law, modifying the timeline in state code (TCA § 40-32-101). The bill amends the existing waiting period requirement without altering eligibility criteria or other offense classifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens expungement waiting period for Class D felonies, aiding rehabilitation and reducing recidivism by enabling earlier record clearance per criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 488: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, lessens, from 90 calendar days to 60 calendar days, the time within which a clerk of court must notify the health facilities commission of a conviction for certain offenses committed against elderly or vulnerable adults for inclusion on the registry of persons who have abused, neglected, misappropriated, or exploited the property of vulnerable individuals. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15.

HB 488 shortens the deadline for clerks of court to notify the Health Facilities Commission about certain convictions. Specifically, it reduces the timeframe from 90 to 60 calendar days after a conviction for offenses against elderly or vulnerable adults. This change applies to cases where the conviction would require inclusion on the registry of individuals who have abused, neglected, or exploited vulnerable individuals. The bill directly affects clerks of court and the registry process, streamlining the reporting timeline without altering the offenses or registry requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShortens clerk notification deadline from 90 to 60 days for abuse registry inclusion, speeding up accountability for crimes against vulnerable adults, strengthening criminal justice oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 478: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, specifies that a person does not commit an offense if the person possesses or carries a firearm into an area that is posted if, upon the request of an individual authorized to control access to the property, the person immediately leaves the property or stores the firearm in a personal vehicle in accordance with state law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 478 clarifies that a person does not commit a crime if they carry a firearm into an area where firearms are prohibited (e.g., posted private property) and either immediately leaves upon request by the property owner or stores the firearm in their vehicle as required by state law (TCA § 39-17-1313). The bill directly affects individuals carrying firearms on private property where guns are banned, such as businesses or events with posted restrictions. It modifies existing law (TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13) to explicitly exempt compliant behavior from criminal liability. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing firearm possession laws or create new restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill limits criminal liability for firearm possession on private property by creating exceptions, reducing law enforcement's ability to prosecute under TCA § 39-17-1313.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 599: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly giving, selling, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring a firearm to a person when the transferor knows or reasonably should know that the person receiving the firearm is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 599 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly give, sell, lend, deliver, or transfer a firearm to someone prohibited from buying or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. This applies when the transferor knows or should reasonably know the recipient is prohibited, such as someone with a felony conviction or active restraining order. Violations carry penalties for the person transferring the firearm, not the recipient. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for all firearm transfers after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for illegal firearm transfers, expanding criminalization of firearm-related offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 19: Attorney General and Reporter - As enacted, authorizes the attorney general and reporter to conduct an investigation and initiate criminal prosecution of a judicial elected official or district attorney general whenever the attorney general and reporter has probable cause to investigate whether an official may have violated any state criminal law and either a decision to prosecute the official by the district attorney general may result in a personal, financial, or political conflict of interest or the attorney general and reporter receives a report of a violation of the prohibition on nepotism within state government entities. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 6.

SB 19 allows Tennessee's Attorney General and Reporter to investigate and prosecute criminal violations by judicial officials (such as judges) or district attorney generals. This authority applies only when the Attorney General has sufficient evidence of a crime and either the local district attorney would face a personal, financial, or political conflict of interest in prosecuting the case, or a nepotism violation has been reported. The law ensures that cases involving potential conflicts can be handled by the Attorney General's office without relying on the conflicted local prosecutor. It does not change existing criminal laws but clarifies the process for such investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight by enabling Attorney General to prosecute judicial officials with conflicts of interest, strengthening accountability in criminal prosecutions.85% confidence