Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 2263: Animal Cruelty and Abuse - As enacted, adds starvation resulting in death of a livestock animal to the types of conduct that constitute the Class E felony of aggravated cruelty to a livestock animal, when done in a depraved and sadistic manner without justifiable or lawful purpose. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2.

HB 2263 amends Tennessee law to specifically criminalize intentionally starving livestock to death in a "depraved and sadistic manner" without justification, expanding the definition of aggravated cruelty to livestock. This directly affects individuals who commit such acts against livestock, making it a Class E felony. The bill adds starvation as a distinct prohibited act under existing cruelty statutes, requiring proof of extreme cruelty and lack of lawful purpose. It will take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed. The law targets severe cases of livestock abuse, not routine farming practices.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding livestock starvation to felony offenses under animal cruelty statutes90% confidence

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 2327: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates the Class B misdemeanor offense of interfering with a religious institution if a person acts to intentionally obstruct, disturb, or interfere with the activities of the religious institution by making an utterance, gesture, or display in a manner that is offensive to the sensibilities of an ordinary person, either within the place where the meeting is held or so near it as to disturb the order and solemnity of the activities; defines "religious institution" as a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 2327 creates a new Class B misdemeanor offense for intentionally obstructing, disturbing, or interfering with activities at a religious institution (defined as a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship) through offensive words, gestures, or displays that disturb the order of the space. It specifically targets conduct that is offensive to most people, whether inside the facility or near enough to disrupt services. Violating this law would result in misdemeanor charges, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects individuals whose actions near religious gatherings are deemed offensive under this standard.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for religious institution interference, expanding criminalization of speech/conduct near places of worship.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2354: Sentencing - As introduced, makes the offense of sexual battery by an authority figure ineligible for probation. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2354, introduced as House Bill 2354, changes sentencing for sexual battery committed by authority figures (such as teachers, coaches, or counselors) in Tennessee. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 (criminal procedure) and Title 40 (sentencing), specifically removing probation eligibility for this offense under Section 39-13-527. This means individuals convicted of sexual battery by an authority figure will no longer qualify for probation and must face other sentencing options. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, applying to offenses occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves probation eligibility for sexual battery by authority figures, increasing mandatory sentencing per amended TCA sections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · House May 26, 2026

HB 2317: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that a person commits the offense of grooming of a minor when the person engages in a course of grooming conduct directed at a minor with the specific intent to commit, or facilitate the commission by another person of, a sexual offense or violent sexual offense against the minor; or to cause or induce the minor to engage in simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive or sexual activity; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2317, the "Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act," creates a new criminal offense for adults who groom minors (under 18) or mentally compromised individuals (e.g., those with autism, intellectual disabilities, or severe mental health conditions) for sexual exploitation. It defines "grooming" as using electronic or in-person communication to build trust or control with the intent to facilitate sexual contact, simulated sexual contact, or exploitation. Penalties range from a Class E felony (standard) to a Class A felony (if victim is under 13) or higher, depending on victim age, prior offenses, or the offender’s position of trust. The bill supplements existing child protection laws and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for grooming minors, expanding criminalization under sexual offenses per bill's explicit definition and penalties.95% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2575: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Reckless Bullet Prevention Act," which creates an offense of recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in close proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place where other people are or may be present; punishes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor; specifies certain exceptions to the offense; requires handgun safety courses for enhanced handgun carry permits to instruct on the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 2575, known as the "Reckless Bullet Prevention Act," makes it a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly discharge a firearm into the air, ground, water, or nearby objects when people are present. It directly affects anyone who discharges a firearm carelessly in public or populated areas, with specific exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, hunters, and self-defense scenarios. The bill requires all handgun safety courses to include instruction on this new offense starting July 1, 2026, and applies to actions occurring on or after that date. Key exceptions cover official duties, wildlife control, and defense against animal attacks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor offense for reckless firearm discharge in populated areas, expanding criminalization of public firearm use without reform focus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2571: Controlled Substances - As introduced, permits a person to possess cannabis that was obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician; specifies the sentences permitted for possessing certain amounts of cannabis that was not obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.

SB 2571 allows Tennessee residents with a qualifying medical condition to legally possess cannabis obtained directly from a licensed physician. It criminalizes unauthorized possession: possessing ≤1 ounce is a Class A misdemeanor with a $100 fine max or 10 hours community service (no jail), while larger amounts face escalating fines and potential jail time (up to 6 months for repeat offenses over 1 ounce). The bill specifically targets non-medical cannabis use, setting penalties based on quantity without jail for small amounts. It directly affects residents seeking medical cannabis access versus those using cannabis without a physician's authorization.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for non-medical cannabis possession, expanding criminalization under sentencing provisions for unauthorized use.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows physician-supervised medical cannabis access, expanding patient treatment options for qualifying conditions under healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1868: Children's Services, Dept. of - As enacted, requires a child placed in the custody of the department to remain in custody so long as necessary to complete treatment or services, which must be evidence-based and provided by a qualified provider; makes other changes to child custody law; creates a juvenile commitment review task force to examine system issues and service gaps for certain children committed to the custody of the department. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 1.

SB 1868 defines a new category called "child in need of heightened supervision" for children who exhibit or threaten violent behavior consistent with specific offenses (like assault), regardless of formal charges or prior adjudication. This bill directly affects children who display violent conduct in schools or communities, expanding when authorities can detain or commit them to residential care. Key provisions include updating detention criteria to include this new category, requiring notification to children about assault consequences in residential facilities, and adding a six-month extension to indefinite custody if a child assaults staff. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee’s child welfare laws to implement these changes, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands juvenile detention without formal charges, increasing criminalization and reducing due process for children in violent behavior cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2079: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a Class E felony offense when a person, for the purpose of deriving a pecuniary benefit, engages in conduct intended to influence the occurrence or nonoccurrence of an event while the person, or another acting in active concert with the person, is a party to a contract traded on a prediction-market by which the person will derive such pecuniary benefit directly from the settlement of that contract based on the occurrence or a nonoccurrence of the event. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 2079 creates a new Class E felony offense for intentionally influencing the outcome of an event (like a sports game or election) while involved in a prediction market contract where you benefit from the result. It directly affects individuals using platforms where people trade bets on future events, such as sports or political outcomes. The law defines "prediction-market" as any platform enabling contracts based on unknown future events. Violating this would be punishable as a Class E felony, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026, if passed. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class E felony for prediction market manipulation, expanding criminalization of betting-related conduct, directly increasing penalties in criminal law.95% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 2030: Sexual Offenders - As enacted, requires sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders to notify the owner or operator of any campground on which the offender intends to stay overnight of the offender's status as a sexual offender or violent sexual offender prior to beginning the stay; creates the offense of knowingly staying overnight at a campground without providing the required notice, which is punished as a Class E felony. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.

SB 2030 requires sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders to notify campground owners or operators in advance if they plan to stay overnight at a campground. This applies directly to individuals subject to Tennessee's sex offender registration requirements. The bill makes it a Class E felony to stay overnight without providing this notice, punishable under existing legal penalties. The law amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating a new Class E felony for non-notification at campgrounds, increasing penalties for sex offenders. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator: expands criminalization.85% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1955: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, defines "criminally negligent conduct,” as used in the offense of criminally negligent homicide, to include failing or refusing to render aid to another person who is unconscious or in need of medical care and the person failing to act knows or reasonably should know that the unconsciousness or need for medical care occurred after the consumption of any controlled substance. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1955 amends Tennessee's criminally negligent homicide law to define "criminally negligent conduct" as including failing to render aid to someone unconscious or needing medical care after controlled substance use, when the bystander knows or should know about the substance connection. It directly affects individuals who witness medical emergencies involving drugs but choose not to assist. The key provision expands the criminal definition to cover such inaction, making it a specific element of the offense. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to cases involving controlled substances as defined in Tennessee law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by making bystander inaction in drug-related medical emergencies a criminally negligent offense, increasing liability under negligent homicide law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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