Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1211: Election Laws - As introduced, establishes automatic restoration of voting rights for people who complete their sentence, including any parole or probationary period. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1211 automatically restores voting rights to Tennessee residents who complete their felony sentences, including parole or probation, without requiring a court order. It directly affects people with felony convictions who have finished all court-imposed terms. The bill replaces the previous requirement for a court to restore rights with a system where a "certificate of final discharge" from supervision triggers automatic eligibility. Election officials must track suspended registrations and update voter rolls when eligibility is confirmed, using standardized forms for courts and the Department of Correction. This changes how Tennessee handles voting rights for returning citizens after sentence completion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically restores voting rights for felony completers, advancing reintegration and civil rights - key criminal justice reform goals that reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Probation & Parole Tags Elections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 720: Sentencing - As introduced, reduces the percentage of sentence that a person convicted of first degree murder on or after July 1, 1995, and sentenced to life imprisonment is required to serve before becoming eligible for release from 100 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained to 60 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained; prohibits a defendant becoming eligible for parole before serving 25 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 25 years of age or younger at the time of the offense, or 30 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 26 years of age or older at the time of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 2 and Title 40.

HB 720 changes sentencing rules for people convicted of first-degree murder after July 1, 1995, who receive life sentences. It reduces the required service time before eligibility for parole from 100% of 60 years (minus sentence credits) to 60% of 60 years (minus credits), while setting a minimum service period: 25 years if the offender was 25 or younger at the crime, or 30 years if 26 or older. This directly affects individuals sentenced to life imprisonment for first-degree murder under these conditions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, for offenses committed on or after July 1, 1995.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces required service time for parole eligibility (from 100% to 60% of 60 years), aligning with criminal justice reform by easing sentencing for life-locked individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 594: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, restores the right of suffrage for persons convicted of an infamous crime after expiration of the sentence imposed for the infamous crime; removes requirement that the person pay restitution and court costs and be current in all child support obligations before having the person's right of suffrage restored; permits a person to have the right of suffrage restored without having the person's full rights of citizenship restored. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

SB 594 restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" (serious criminal convictions) once their sentence, probation, or parole ends. It removes the previous requirement that individuals must pay all restitution, court costs, and be current on child support before regaining the right to vote. The bill clarifies that voting rights restoration occurs automatically after sentence completion, without needing a full citizenship restoration or pardon. This change applies to all eligible individuals, including those convicted before 1981, and updates voter registration forms to reflect the new eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals without financial barriers, advancing criminal justice reform by removing punitive restrictions post-sentence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SJR 9: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee to expand the rights of victims of crimes. -

SJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand rights for crime victims in Tennessee by replacing Article I, Section 35 of the state constitution. The amendment would guarantee victims specific rights, including timely notice of court proceedings, the right to be present at hearings, the ability to provide input during sentencing and parole decisions, and access to restitution from offenders. These rights would apply to all victims of crime as defined by law, with the General Assembly retaining authority to create implementing laws. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victims' rights in court proceedings and sentencing, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and system transparency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 1030: Probation and Parole - As introduced, enacts the "Parole Relief and Opportunity Act"; expands the definition of hardship for purposes of determining the ability of a parolee to contribute to the cost of the person's supervision and release. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1030, the "Parole Relief and Opportunity Act," expands the definition of hardship for parolees who cannot afford supervision costs due to basic needs like food and housing, or lack of employment despite reasonable efforts. It requires the Department of Correction to waive certain fees (including supervision contributions) for parolees meeting this new hardship standard, as defined in Section 40-28-202(a)(8). The bill also prevents parole revocation for two months of non-payment if a parolee demonstrates hardship and requests reevaluation, waiving unpaid contributions until financial circumstances improve. This directly affects parolees struggling with poverty or family responsibilities who previously faced revocation for unpaid fees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands hardship definition for parolees to include basic needs, waives fees for eligible individuals, and prevents revocation for non-payment - aligns with reform goals to reduce recidivism and ease reentry barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1182: Sentencing - As introduced, requires a local community corrections advisory board to provide its annual report to the county legislative body on the progress of community corrections programs by February 1 of each year. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1182 requires local community corrections advisory boards in Tennessee to submit an annual report to their county legislative body by February 1 each year, detailing progress on community corrections programs. This bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 8, 16, 37, 39, 40, and 41) to establish this reporting requirement. The bill directly affects community corrections advisory boards and county legislative bodies by mandating a standardized annual update on program effectiveness. It does not change sentencing laws or program content, only the reporting process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on community corrections program progress, enhancing transparency and accountability in sentencing/rehabilitation efforts per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 36: State Inmates - As enacted, requires by July 1, 2027, and each July 1 thereafter, the commissioner of correction to deliver to the chairs of legislative committees with jurisdiction over the department a report containing data with regard to individuals who may be certified eligible for parole for being chronically debilitated or incapacitated. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 36 modifies Tennessee's parole and furlough rules for state inmates. It removes the requirement that an inmate must be "chronically debilitated or incapacitated" for the corrections commissioner to certify them as parole-eligible, expanding eligibility to inmates meeting age (55+), time served (10+ years), and non-violent offense criteria. The bill also changes furlough rules, allowing the commissioner to grant furloughs if an inmate cannot perform at least one basic daily activity in prison due to a medical condition causing debilitation or incapacity. These changes apply to inmates not convicted of violent sexual offenses or multiple murders. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-35-501 and 41-21-227.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands parole eligibility for non-violent, elderly inmates (55+, 10+ years) and allows compassionate furloughs for medical needs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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