Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 457: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, decreases from 0.20 to 0.15 percent the minimum weight of alcohol concentration in a defendant's blood or breath as an element of the offense of aggravated vehicular assault and in a defendant's blood as an element of the offense of aggravated vehicular homicide. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

SB 457 lowers the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold for aggravated vehicular assault and homicide in Tennessee. It reduces the required BAC level from 0.20% to 0.15% for these offenses, making it easier to prove these crimes in court. The bill directly affects drivers charged with serious alcohol-related offenses under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-115 (aggravated vehicular assault) and 39-13-218 (aggravated vehicular homicide). The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all cases filed on or after that date. This is a substantive policy adjustment to the legal definition of these crimes, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLowers BAC threshold to expand criminalization of drunk driving, making prosecution easier under criminal justice laws90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 406: Orders of Protection - As enacted, expands the courts in Shelby County that can hear a petition for an order of protection to include a criminal court when the criminal court is hearing a criminal matter involving a domestic abuse victim, sexual assault victim, or stalking victim; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 18 and Title 36.

SB 406 expands which Tennessee courts in Shelby County can handle petitions for orders of protection. It allows criminal courts to process these petitions when the same court is already hearing a related criminal case involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victims. This change eliminates the need for victims to seek protection orders in a separate court, streamlining the process while the criminal case is active. The bill directly affects survivors of these specific crimes in Shelby County who are navigating both criminal and protection proceedings. The law took effect on April 24, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands court access for victims of domestic abuse/sexual assault/stalking, reducing bureaucratic barriers and improving victim access to protection orders within active criminal cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

died · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1441: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony if the offense occurs while the defendant is committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1441 raises the penalty for impersonating a law enforcement officer in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony when the impersonation occurs during the commission or attempt of a violent crime. It maintains the current misdemeanor penalty for impersonation while driving a vehicle (with a $5,000 fine maximum) and for other non-violent cases. The bill specifically targets individuals who use impersonation as part of violent criminal activity, making the offense a felony under those circumstances. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalty for impersonating officers during violent crimes, expanding criminalization and harshening sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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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 · 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 · 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

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 579: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds the offense of robbery to the definition of crime of violence. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 579 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include "robbery" in the legal definition of "crime of violence" under Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13. This change directly affects robbery cases by classifying them under the same sentencing framework as other violent crimes like murder, aggravated assault, and kidnapping. The bill updates the statutory definition to ensure robbery is treated as a crime of violence for legal and sentencing purposes. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies robbery as 'crime of violence' under sentencing framework, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per bill's explicit amendment to TCA Title 39.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 429: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, designates a person impersonating a transportation network company driver or falsely representing that the person is responding to a passenger ride request for a transportation network company as a Class E felony when the conduct occurs during the commission of a separate felony offense, or as a Class C misdemeanor when the conduct does not occur during the commission of a felony offense. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51; Title 39 and Title 65, Chapter 15.

HB 429 makes it illegal to impersonate a ride-hailing driver (like Uber or Lyft) or falsely claim to be responding to a passenger request. If committed during another felony (e.g., robbery), it becomes a Class E felony; otherwise, it’s a Class C misdemeanor. The bill targets individuals pretending to be part of transportation network companies, aiming to protect passengers and companies from fraud. The bill was introduced in 2025 but withdrawn before becoming law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for ride-hailing impersonation, increasing penalties during other felonies, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 1064: Bail, Bail Bonds - As introduced, makes various changes to criminal law, including requiring defendants accused of certain offenses to be subject to a global positioning monitoring system as condition of bail. - Amends TCA Title 10; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Chapter 969 of the Public Acts of 2024 and Chapter 1033 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 1064 requires courts to order GPS monitoring for defendants accused of specific serious offenses as a condition of bail, including cases involving firearms, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat offenses. It directly affects individuals charged with these offenses who are released before trial. Key provisions mandate GPS monitoring unless the court finds the defendant no longer poses a threat, require monthly court reporting on monitored defendants, and update bail condition procedures. The bill also modifies related laws to clarify victim protections and reporting requirements for violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires GPS monitoring for pretrial release on specific offenses, restricting defendant freedom and increasing surveillance, reducing pretrial rights90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 757: Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a tenant or household member and a landlord have to agree upon a date to terminate a residential rental or lease agreement, provided the tenant supplies written notice and documentation to the landlord that the tenant is a domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victim. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 13; Title 20; Title 21; Title 25; Title 26; Title 28; Title 29; Title 40; Title 62; Title 66; and Title 68.

HB 757 extends the notice period for tenants fleeing domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking from 30 to 45 days to terminate a rental agreement. It requires tenants to provide written notice and documentation of their victim status to landlords to trigger this longer window. The bill directly affects tenants in these situations and their landlords by giving victims more time to safely vacate properties without immediate eviction risk. This change updates Tennessee's residential rental laws (affecting multiple code sections) to prioritize safety for vulnerable tenants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends tenant protections for crime victims (domestic abuse/stalking), enabling safer exits from abusive situations without immediate eviction risk, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends tenant notice period for domestic abuse victims, strengthening protections against immediate eviction per housing tenant rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime Landlords Tenant Rights

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