Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 99: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law relative to unlawful photography. - Amends TCA Section 39-13-605 and Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.

HB 99 revises Tennessee's unlawful photography law (TCA § 39-13-605) to strengthen penalties and protections. It upgrades certain offenses to higher felony classifications (e.g., Class E felony for non-minor offenses, Class D felony when a minor under 13 is involved), adds mandatory sex offender registration for violations, and specifies aggravating factors like using a position of trust over a victim. The law directly affects individuals who take unauthorized photos in private settings, particularly when minors under 13 are involved or the offender holds a position of authority over the victim. Key provisions include increased criminal penalties, mandatory registration under Tennessee’s sex offender registry, and updated definitions for sentencing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications (Class E/D) and mandates sex offender registration, directly expanding criminalization and penalties per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1025: Juvenile Offenders - As enacted, requires suspension of a minor's driving privileges or ability to obtain a driver license for a period of one year as part of the disposition if a minor is adjudicated delinquent for an act that would constitute the offense of harassment by bullying or cyber-bullying. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 7.

HB 1025 requires courts to suspend a minor’s driving privileges or ability to obtain a driver’s license for one year when a minor is found delinquent for acts that would be classified as harassment by bullying or cyberbullying under Tennessee law. This applies to all juvenile court dispositions for such offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-308(d)(2), 37, 39, and 55-10-700 to mandate this suspension as part of standard sentencing. It directly affects minors convicted of bullying or cyberbullying offenses in juvenile court, adding a driving restriction to their court-ordered consequences.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates mandatory driving suspension for juvenile bullying offenses, increasing punitive sentencing rather than promoting rehabilitation or reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 170: Juvenile Offenders - As enacted, requires suspension of a minor's driving privileges or ability to obtain a driver license for a period of one year as part of the disposition if a minor is adjudicated delinquent for an act that would constitute the offense of harassment by bullying or cyber-bullying. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 7.

SB 170 requires Tennessee courts to suspend a minor's driving privileges or driver's license for one year when a juvenile is found delinquent for an act that would be considered harassment through bullying or cyberbullying. This policy change directly affects minors convicted of these specific offenses, adding a mandatory driving suspension to their court disposition. The bill amends Tennessee law (Title 37, 39, and 55) to implement this requirement, effective July 1, 2025. It does not create new offenses but modifies existing juvenile court sentencing options for bullying and cyberbullying cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates one-year driving suspension for juvenile bullying/cyberbullying, increasing mandatory sentencing for a specific offense.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 678: Sentencing - As enacted, provides that if the victim in an aggravated sexual battery was less than 18 or was mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless, then such battery remains a Class B felony, and the defendant must be punished as a Range II offender; provides that the sentence imposed upon the defendant may, if appropriate, be within Range III but in no case lower than Range II. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 5.

SB 678 changes Tennessee sentencing for aggravated sexual battery. It makes this crime a more serious Class A felony (instead of Class B) when the victim was under 18 or was mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. The bill requires defendants convicted in these cases to be sentenced as Range II offenders, meaning their minimum sentence cannot be lower than Range II even if Range III applies. This policy change directly affects defendants convicted of aggravated sexual battery where the victim meets one of the specified vulnerability conditions, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades aggravated sexual battery to Class A felony for vulnerable victims and mandates minimum Range II sentencing, increasing penalties. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 184: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class C felony of reckless endangerment involving community terrorism, which is committed against a population within a geographic territory by members of a criminal gang or within 1,000 feet of a school or park; requires the sentencing court to revoke or prohibit the issuance of a driver license to individuals convicted of such offense for a five-year period following conviction. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

HB 184 creates a new Class C felony for reckless endangerment classified as "community terrorism," defined as gang-related acts against populations in a geographic area or within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, or other public spaces like libraries. Convicted individuals face a mandatory 5-year driver's license revocation or prohibition (with limited exceptions for work/medical needs), plus GPS monitoring to enforce geographic restrictions near the crime site. The law applies specifically to offenses committed by criminal gang members or near protected locations, requiring courts to order these penalties alongside sentencing. Reinstatement of a driver's license is only possible after five years, with strict requirements for restricted use and court approval.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony with mandatory 5-year license revocation and GPS monitoring for gang-related acts near schools, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 215: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, establishes mandatory minimum penalties of 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine for a person convicted of knowingly selling or distributing a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21; prohibits a retailer from knowingly allowing an employee younger than 21 to access, handle, or sell any product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid on the premises of the retail establishment. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 43, Chapter 27 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

SB 215 establishes new penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products to people under 21 in Tennessee. It requires a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and $500 fine for anyone convicted of knowingly selling such products to minors. The law also prohibits retailers from allowing employees under 21 to access, handle, or sell these products on store premises. These provisions amend Tennessee Code sections governing retail sales and criminal penalties, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 48-hour jail term and $500 fine for selling hemp products to minors, increasing criminal penalties per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 389: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class C felony of reckless endangerment involving community terrorism, which is committed against a population within a geographic territory by members of a criminal gang or within 1,000 feet of a school or park; requires the sentencing court to revoke or prohibit the issuance of a driver license to individuals convicted of such offense for a five-year period following conviction. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

SB 389 creates a new Class C felony for "reckless endangerment involving community terrorism," defined as gang-related acts endangering populations in specific geographic areas or within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, or other public facilities. It mandates that courts revoke or prohibit driver's licenses for five years following conviction, requires GPS monitoring to enforce geographic restrictions, and prohibits license reinstatement without court approval. Offenders may later apply for a restricted license for essential activities (work, medical care, school) after five years, subject to court approval, with full license reinstatement possible after demonstrating rehabilitation. The bill directly affects individuals convicted under this new felony, the Tennessee Department of Safety (handling license actions), and courts issuing sentencing orders. It applies specific penalties to offenses meeting the "community terrorism" definition outlined in the bill.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony, mandates 5-year license revocation, expands criminalization of gang acts near schools/parks, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 447: Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, requires the department of correction, in consultation with the inmate disciplinary oversight board, to compose a report detailing the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits, and to submit the report to legislative committees. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 447 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create an annual report tracking how many inmates earned sentence reduction credits (which shorten prison time). The report must detail these numbers and be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the relevant House committee on criminal sentencing. This bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 3, 4, 40, and 41) to establish this reporting requirement. The change directly affects state corrections officials and provides lawmakers with data on sentence credit usage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on inmate sentence reduction credits to improve transparency and oversight of rehabilitation-focused sentencing practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 261: Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, requires the department of correction, in consultation with the inmate disciplinary oversight board, to compose a report detailing the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits, and to submit the report to legislative committees. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 261 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction, in collaboration with the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board, to create an annual report tracking the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits under state law. The report must detail these credits and be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the relevant House committee. This bill directly affects the Department of Correction and the oversight board by mandating transparency about how sentence credits are applied to inmates. It does not change sentencing laws but adds a reporting requirement to improve legislative oversight of correctional practices. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 41-21-236 and related titles to implement this reporting obligation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency in sentence credit application, supporting accountability in criminal justice reform through data-driven oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 475: 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.

SB 475 modifies Tennessee's sentencing rules for individuals convicted of first-degree murder after July 1, 1995, who receive life imprisonment. It reduces the required service for release eligibility from 100% of 60 years (60 years total) to 60% of 60 years (36 years), minus time earned for good behavior. However, it mandates a minimum 25-year sentence if the offender was under 25 at the time of the crime, or 30 years if 26 or older. This bill directly affects life-sentenced murder convicts in Tennessee, changing when they may become eligible for parole under specific age-based timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces required service time from 60 to 36 years for life-sentenced murder convicts, advancing sentencing reform by lowering mandatory minimums while maintaining age-based minimums.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track