HB 1029 amends Tennessee law to require correctional departments to address housing services during mandatory pre-release orientation for inmates. The bill changes the existing requirement from covering "education, employment" to including "housing, employment" as essential topics. This policy directly affects inmates transitioning from confinement by ensuring they receive information about housing resources before release. The change applies to Section 40-35-505 of Tennessee Code Annotated, which governs inmate orientation protocols. The bill does not alter other aspects of correctional services or funding.
SB 99 extends the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission's operational authority until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic expiration. This bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing the commission's structure (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1) to remove an outdated reference and clarify its ongoing role. The commission directly affects peace officers and law enforcement training programs across Tennessee by overseeing standards and certification. This is a procedural extension of an existing agency, not a new policy change, ensuring continuity in officer training oversight.
HB 1222 would allow courts in Tennessee to issue emergency orders restricting a person’s access to firearms if a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer files a petition alleging the person poses an imminent risk of harm. The bill requires courts to issue these orders immediately if harm is imminent, prohibits the petitioner from paying court costs (shifting costs to the respondent), and mandates a hearing within 30 days to extend the order for up to one year. It specifically defines "family member," "household member," and "intimate partner" to clarify who can petition and ensures law enforcement receives copies to enforce the order. The bill, which amends Tennessee Code Titles 36 and 39, is currently pending (it failed in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee in April 2025).
SB 271 prohibits professional bondsmen from owning, operating, or working for companies that supervise people released before trial with electronic monitoring conditions. This directly affects bondsmen who currently have financial or employment ties to electronic monitoring service providers. The law amends Tennessee Code § 40-11-313 to ban these dual roles, ensuring bondsmen cannot profit from both bail services and the monitoring of pre-trial clients. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 388 requires courts to mandate GPS tracking for defendants accused of specific offenses - such as firearm use, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat crimes - during pretrial release, unless the court documents in writing that the defendant poses no threat to victims or public safety. It applies to defendants awaiting trial for these listed offenses, directly affecting their release conditions. Courts must report monthly data on GPS orders to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which will compile an annual report for legislative committees by July 1 each year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, amending Tennessee Code sections related to criminal procedure and bail.
SB 1314 makes Tennessee's criminal proceedings notification system permanent by removing its temporary "pilot program" status and eliminating the July 1, 2025, expiration date. This change, effective upon enactment (as reflected in Public Chapter 354), directly affects criminal defendants who receive court notifications under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-38-507. The bill amends the statute by deleting "as a pilot program" from subsection (a) and removing subsection (d) entirely. The policy change ensures the notification system will operate indefinitely without requiring future legislative renewal.
HB 1295, known as the "STOP ELON Act," creates a new criminal offense for intentionally blocking someone from receiving government financial aid (like loans or grants they're eligible for) with the intent to deny them the funds. It treats this interference as theft under existing law, with penalties including criminal charges and combined value calculations for multiple offenses. Victims can also file civil lawsuits to recover funds they lost due to the interference. The bill directly affects individuals or organizations denied federal, state, or local aid and those who obstruct such aid, with provisions taking effect July 1, 2025.
SB 15 requires the Tennessee state government to cover the costs of autopsies for inmates who die while in state custody, as well as any necessary transportation related to those autopsies. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 41, Chapter 21, by adding a new provision mandating state payment for these examinations and associated transportation expenses. This change directly affects state correctional facilities and the state budget, as it establishes a new financial obligation for the government. The law takes effect upon becoming law, shifting responsibility for these costs from families or other entities to the state.
SB 481 removes a requirement for individuals or entities claiming seized property to post a bond when filing a claim under Tennessee's asset forfeiture laws. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-33-205(a) and 40-33-206(b) to eliminate the need for a "cost bond" in forfeiture proceedings. This change directly affects people challenging law enforcement seizures of property, making it easier to contest such seizures without upfront financial barriers. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all seizures occurring on or after that date.
HB 937 automatically restores voting rights for Tennessee residents who complete all parts of their sentence, including parole or probation, for certain convictions. It directly affects people previously convicted of "infamous crimes" (as defined by Tennessee law) who have finished their sentences. The bill eliminates the need for court petitions by requiring election officials to restore voting rights upon receipt of a "certificate of final discharge" from supervision. It also creates new systems for election officials to track suspended registrations and automatically update voter eligibility.
