Criminal Justice

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 457: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, decreases from 0.20 to 0.15 percent the minimum weight of alcohol concentration in a defendant's blood or breath as an element of the offense of aggravated vehicular assault and in a defendant's blood as an element of the offense of aggravated vehicular homicide. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

SB 457 lowers the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold for aggravated vehicular assault and homicide in Tennessee. It reduces the required BAC level from 0.20% to 0.15% for these offenses, making it easier to prove these crimes in court. The bill directly affects drivers charged with serious alcohol-related offenses under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-115 (aggravated vehicular assault) and 39-13-218 (aggravated vehicular homicide). The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all cases filed on or after that date. This is a substantive policy adjustment to the legal definition of these crimes, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLowers BAC threshold to expand criminalization of drunk driving, making prosecution easier under criminal justice laws90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 404: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the offense of unlawful exposure to include the distribution, with the intent to cause emotional distress, of an image of the intimate parts of another identifiable person or an image of an identifiable person engaged in sexually explicit conduct and the image was created or modified by means of a computer software program, artificial intelligence application, or other digital editing tools. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 404 amends Tennessee law to expand the crime of unlawful exposure to include distributing digitally altered intimate images created or modified using AI, editing software, or other digital tools - with the intent to cause emotional distress. It directly affects identifiable individuals whose private images are manipulated and shared without consent. The law specifically targets images of intimate body parts or sexually explicit conduct that were altered via technology, making such distribution a criminal offense. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to images created or modified using digital tools, not just original photographs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new offense for non-consensual AI-altered intimate image distribution, directly increasing criminal law scope.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands criminal penalties for non-consensual distribution of AI-altered intimate images, strengthening privacy protections against tech-enabled harassment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 337: Taxes, Sales - As introduced, authorizes certain counties to levy a local option sales tax at the rate of 3.75 percent, instead of a maximum of 2.75 percent, if the revenue from the increase in such tax is used by the county exclusively for the construction of a new county jail or to retire debt, including principal and interest and related expenses, on such construction. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 6, Part 7.

SB 337 allows Tennessee counties with populations over 900,000 (per the 2020 census) to temporarily increase their local sales tax rate from 2.75% to 3.75% for up to eight years. The additional revenue must be used exclusively for constructing a new county jail or paying off debt related to such construction. If the jail debt is paid off early, the tax rate reverts to 2.75% immediately. After the temporary period, counties must allocate revenue from the 2.75% tax rate to fund sheriff's department operations (in addition to existing funding), not for other purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes temporary sales tax increase (2.75%→3.75%) exclusively for jail construction/debt, directly advancing fiscal management for public infrastructure funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds jail construction via temporary tax increase, directly supporting corrections infrastructure within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 493: Forfeiture of Assets - As introduced, increases the burden of proof required to be met by the state in civil asset forfeiture proceedings from a preponderance of evidence standard to a clear and convincing evidence standard. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 33.

SB 493 changes Tennessee's civil asset forfeiture law by raising the standard of proof required for the state to keep seized property from a "preponderance of evidence" (more likely than not) to "clear and convincing evidence" (high confidence). This applies to cases under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-33-210 and 40-33-213, directly affecting individuals whose assets (like cash or vehicles) are seized by law enforcement. The bill requires prosecutors to meet a significantly higher evidentiary bar before forfeiting property, making it harder for the state to retain seized items. It takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to seizures occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises burden of proof in asset forfeiture from preponderance to clear and convincing evidence, protecting individual property rights and advancing criminal justice reform by reducing wrongful seizures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 625: Mental Illness - As introduced, establishes a rebuttable presumption that a person poses an imminent substantial likelihood of serious harm and needs emergency detention and examination if the person was charged with one of certain criminal offenses and ordered by the criminal, circuit, or general sessions court to undergo an evaluation to determine whether the person is incompetent to stand trial or the person's mental capacity at the time of the commission of the crime; requires clear and convincing evidence to rebut the presumption. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52.

HB 625 creates an automatic presumption requiring emergency detention and mental evaluation for defendants charged with specific serious crimes (those carrying 85% mandatory sentence time before parole eligibility) who are ordered by a court to undergo a mental evaluation for competency or mental state at the time of the crime. This presumption can only be overturned by "clear and convincing evidence" showing the person poses no immediate risk of serious harm. The bill directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee facing certain violent or severe offenses who are undergoing court-ordered mental health assessments. It amends Tennessee law in Titles 33, 40, and 52 to establish this new standard for emergency detention.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic detention for specific defendants with high burden to rebut, restricting defendant rights by presuming risk without sufficient evidence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 482: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands the offense of unlawful photography to include a photograph that the defendant knew would include the victim engaged in sexual activity; increases the penalty for the offense of unlawful photography from a Class A misdemeanor or a Class E felony to a Class D felony in certain circumstances; authorizes the issuance of an order of protection for a person who has been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of unlawful photography. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40.

SB 482 strengthens Tennessee's laws against non-consensual photography by expanding the definition of "unlawful photography" to include photos where the defendant knew the victim would be engaged in sexual activity. It upgrades penalties for this offense to a Class D felony (from a Class A misdemeanor or Class E felony) in specific cases, making the punishment more severe. The bill also allows courts to issue protection orders for victims who have been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of such photography. This directly affects victims of non-consensual photo sharing and those who commit this act, creating clearer legal consequences and additional protections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protections by expanding unlawful photography offense definition and increasing penalties to Class D felony, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of enhancing legal safeguards for victims.95% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 2, 2025

SB 280: Tort Liability and Reform - As enacted, specifies that a law enforcement officer who causes property damage to or inflicts personal injury upon a person during the course of the law enforcement officer's official duties is immune from civil liability if at the time the damage or injury occurred, the person suffering the injury or damage was engaged in conduct that resulted in the person being convicted of the offense of resisting a stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search of the person. - Amends TCA Title 29 and Title 39.

SB 280 provides legal immunity to Tennessee law enforcement officers who cause property damage or personal injury during official duties, if the injured person was convicted of resisting arrest (under §39-16-602) at the time of the incident. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of resisting arrest, as it prevents them from filing civil lawsuits against officers for injuries or damage sustained during the arrest. Key provisions include exceptions for gross negligence or willful misconduct by officers, and the immunity does not apply to bystanders or others not convicted of resisting arrest. This law changes civil liability standards by shielding officers from lawsuits in specific cases where the injured party was engaged in conduct leading to a resisting arrest conviction.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticePrevents civil lawsuits against officers for injuries during arrests of those convicted of resisting arrest, reducing defendant rights and weakening accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 1026: Expunction - As introduced, permits the expunction of a Class E felony conviction for official misconduct. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 32.

HB 1026 would allow individuals convicted of a Class E felony for official misconduct to have their court records permanently removed. This specifically affects people who committed such offenses while serving in public office or as government employees (e.g., police officers or public officials). The bill amends Tennessee law to create a new process for expunging these records, making them inaccessible to the public and most employers. It does not change sentencing or apply to other types of crimes. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee's Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of official misconduct convictions, reducing barriers to employment and supporting rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1346: Courts - As enacted, enacts the "Recovery Court Renewal Act." - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 32, Part 1.

HB 1346 would allow individuals with a prior DUI conviction (under §55-10-401) to petition for expungement of eligible criminal offenses after waiting at least 10 years from their conviction date. To qualify, petitioners must have fully paid all fines/restitution, completed probation or imprisonment, and not have prior expungements or multiple DUI convictions. The bill amends Tennessee's expungement law to create this specific pathway, effective July 1, 2025, if passed. It applies only to offenses eligible under existing expungement rules (§40-32-101(g)(1)) and limits petitions to one per person. The bill is currently under review by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows expungement of DUI convictions after 10 years, promoting rehabilitation and reducing barriers to employment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 171: Tattoos and Piercings - As enacted, enacts "The Ink of Hope Act"; requires tattoo operators and tattoo artists to complete up to one hour of training on recognizing and reporting signs of human trafficking. - Amends TCA Title 62, Chapter 38.

SB 171, "The Ink of Hope Act," requires tattoo operators and artists in Tennessee to complete one hour of free, nonprofit-approved training on recognizing and reporting human trafficking signs before obtaining or renewing a license. The training covers identifying trafficking indicators, responding appropriately, referring clients to victim resources, and reporting to the Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. Existing license holders must complete this training by December 31, 2028, to maintain their license. The law also provides legal immunity for licensed individuals who report trafficking signs or refer clients to resources, protecting them from civil or criminal liability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires training for tattoo professionals to recognize/report human trafficking, directly aiding law enforcement in combating a criminal offense within the criminal justice framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking