Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 553: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands "law enforcement officer" to include a correctional officer employed by a county jail, the department of correction, or a private prison contractor and a probation or parole officer employed by the department of correction or a private probation provider for purposes of the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

HB 553 amends Tennessee's assault law to broaden the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include correctional officers working in county jails, state facilities, or private prisons, as well as probation and parole officers employed by the state or private providers. This change directly affects these correctional and probation officers by extending legal protections against assault to cover them under the same criminal penalties that apply to traditional law enforcement. The bill specifically updates Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-116 to list these new categories explicitly, ensuring they are protected under the assault offense statute. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands legal protections for correctional/probation officers under assault laws, strengthening workforce safety in corrections system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 464: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, makes changes to the law relative to professional bondsmen and agents of insurance companies making appearance bonds of a criminal nature. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 464 amends Tennessee's bail bond laws to set a minimum 5% premium fee for bonds, replacing the previous 10% cap. It directly affects defendants using bail bonds and bondsmen/insurance agents by requiring fees to be between 5% and 10% of the bond amount (e.g., $125-$250 on a $2,500 bond), while allowing up to 15% for certain bond types. The bill changes specific sections of Tennessee Code (40-11-151, 40-11-316, and 40-11-316(c)) to establish these new fee ranges. It takes effect July 1, 2025, impacting all professional bondsmen and insurance agents providing appearance bonds for criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases defendant costs by lowering minimum bail fee from 10% to 5%, restricting access to pretrial release and reducing defendant rights - directly contradicts reform indicators.95% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1170: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, provides that a person is criminally responsible for an offense committed by the conduct of another if, acting with intent to benefit in the proceeds or results of the offense, the person solicits, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another person to commit the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 11; Title 39, Chapter 12; Title 39, Chapter 13; Title 39, Chapter 14; Title 40, Chapter 24; Title 40, Chapter 35 and Title 40, Chapter 39.

SB 1170 removes the killing of another committed during certain crimes (like robbery or burglary) from the definition of first-degree murder in Tennessee law. It deletes legal provisions that allowed prosecutors to charge individuals as "criminally responsible" for others' actions, including facilitating felonies or acting as an accomplice under specific sections. The bill amends multiple parts of Tennessee’s criminal code (including Titles 39 and 40) to eliminate these references and provisions. This change directly affects how prosecutors handle cases involving killings during crimes and reduces potential charges for indirect involvement in felonies. The bill focuses on clarifying legal definitions rather than creating new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves felony murder from first-degree murder definition and deletes accomplice liability provisions, reducing sentencing severity and expanding defendant rights per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 81: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the second look commission to June 30, 2029. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 37, Chapter 3.

SB 81 extends the deadline for Tennessee's Second Look Commission from its original expiration to June 30, 2029. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-250 to formally update the commission's authorization period. This extension directly affects the Second Look Commission, which reviews certain criminal sentences, allowing it to continue its work for an additional four years. The change is procedural, updating the legal timeline without altering the commission's existing responsibilities or processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends Second Look Commission's mandate to review sentences, enabling continued criminal justice reform efforts without altering existing policies.85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 696: Sexual Offenses - As introduced, establishes a sexual assault response team coordinator for the purpose of providing statewide training, support, and technical assistance to and oversight of sexual assault response teams. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8 and Title 38.

HB 696 creates a statewide Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator position to improve coordination and support for local SARTs across Tennessee. The coordinator, employed by the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, will provide training, oversight, and technical assistance to ensure local teams follow best practices and access resources. The bill requires annual reports to the legislature on SART performance, gaps in services, and recommendations for improvement. Funding for the position will come from state grants to the coalition, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a statewide SART Coordinator to improve coordination, training, and oversight of sexual assault response teams, enhancing victim services and promoting criminal justice reform in sexual offense cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 769: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes the offense of possession of a used, detached catalytic converter by an unauthorized person punishable by a term of imprisonment not greater than 11 months, 29 days; a fine not to exceed $2,500; or both, instead of only subject to a fine. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39; Title 55 and Title 62.

SB 769 changes Tennessee law to treat unauthorized possession of a used, detached catalytic converter as a felony instead of a minor misdemeanor. It makes this offense punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses that possess catalytic converters without authorization, such as scrap recyclers or those who may have stolen them. This policy update strengthens penalties to deter catalytic converter theft, which is a growing problem across the state.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for catalytic converter possession, expanding criminalization from misdemeanor to felony, aligning with indicators of restricted defendant rights and expanded criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

failed · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 836: Controlled Substances - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Cannabis Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 29; Title 33; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 43; Title 45; Title 50; Title 53; Title 63; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 836, titled the "Tennessee Cannabis Act," would legalize recreational cannabis use for adults aged 21 and older in Tennessee. It establishes regulations for licensing cannabis businesses, including requirements for product testing, child-resistant packaging, and restrictions on advertising near schools or parks. The bill defines key terms like "edible marijuana products" (e.g., food or drinks infused with cannabis) and sets standards for cultivation, manufacturing, and sales. It directly affects cannabis businesses, consumers, and local governments through new licensing processes and safety provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes recreational cannabis, removing criminal penalties for possession and use, reducing arrests and convictions - a core criminal justice reform to address mass incarceration and racial disparities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1442: Law Enforcement - As introduced, enacts the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)." - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 39.

HB 1442, titled the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to remove masks or face coverings during public interactions while on duty, except for N95 masks used to prevent disease transmission or smoke masks during natural disasters. It also mandates that officers visibly display their name or badge number at all times during public interactions. Violating these requirements would be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and the law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers operating within Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates visible officer identification and mask removal during public interactions, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 679: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that when the victim of a sexually oriented crime is a minor, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for the victim to receive a forensic medical examination. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38 and Title 39.

HB 679 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, directly affecting providers who bill the criminal injuries compensation fund. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA or serology analysis on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with specific procedures for delays. The bill sets a July 1, 2025 effective date for both provisions, applying to exams performed and kits received after that date. These changes aim to improve compensation for medical providers and streamline forensic evidence processing in sexual assault cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim support via higher provider compensation and mandates faster DNA analysis, directly advancing evidence processing and victim care in sexual assault cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 207: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, expands the offense of organized retail crime to include certain acts, including knowingly using an online marketplace or social media platform to coordinate a meeting with one or more persons to sell, barter, or trade stolen merchandise for monetary or other gain; increases the punishment for the offense under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14.

HB 207 expands Tennessee's organized retail crime law to specifically criminalize using online marketplaces or social media to coordinate selling, bartering, or trading stolen merchandise for gain. It adds 10 new prohibited acts, including removing anti-shoplifting devices, interfering with fire alarms during thefts, returning stolen goods to retailers, and possessing 10+ fraudulently obtained access devices (like gift cards). The bill increases penalties for offenses involving weapons or property destruction by one classification. This law directly affects individuals coordinating organized theft and retailers impacted by such crimes, with effective date July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of online theft coordination and increases penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing.95% confidence