Criminal Justice

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 The bill was introduced in 2025 but withdrawn before becoming law.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 Mar 25, 2026

HB 1111: 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.

HB 1111 requires local community corrections advisory boards in Tennessee counties to submit annual reports on the progress of community corrections programs to their county legislative bodies by February 1 each year. This bill directly affects county-level community corrections advisory boards and county legislative bodies by establishing a mandatory reporting timeline. The key provision is the February 1 deadline for these reports, which aims to increase transparency and oversight of community corrections initiatives. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee Code related to criminal sentencing to implement this requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual transparency reporting for community corrections programs, enhancing oversight and accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SJR 52: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Reaffirms the General Assembly's intent to protect pregnant people, their friends, and their families. -

SJR 52 is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally reaffirms the Tennessee General Assembly's intent to prevent the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. It states the legislature opposes using state laws to prosecute pregnant people, their friends, or family members for pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. The resolution highlights that Tennessee has the third-highest number of such criminal cases in the U.S. and notes that current laws disproportionately impact low-income residents and people of color. As a non-binding statement of legislative intent, it does not change existing laws but expresses the Assembly's position on this issue.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly opposes criminalizing pregnancy outcomes, reducing unjust criminalization in the justice system per its stated intent.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents criminalization of pregnancy outcomes, protecting patient access to healthcare without fear of prosecution for miscarriage or abortion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 581: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement officer initiating a traffic stop or pedestrian stop, on or after January 1, 2026, to inform the person stopped of the reason for the stop before engaging the person in questioning related to an investigation of a possible criminal offense or traffic violation; permits the officer to withhold such information if the officer believes that doing so is necessary to protect life or property from an imminent threat. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 581 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to inform individuals they stop (for traffic or pedestrian reasons) of the specific reason for the stop before questioning them about possible crimes or violations. This rule takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all officers making such stops. Officers may withhold the reason only if they believe it is necessary to protect life or property from an immediate threat. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to law enforcement procedures (Titles 38, 39, and 40).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to disclose stop reasons before questioning, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 764: Search & Seizure - As enacted, specifies that certain physical searches of students and searches of lockers, vehicles, and other property must be conducted by a school resource officer. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6.

HB 764 requires that certain physical searches of students, locker searches, and property searches (like vehicles) on school grounds must be conducted solely by a school resource officer acting as a school official. It specifically mandates that schools must obtain parental consent before physically searching any student under 18 years old. The bill also explicitly states that all searches under this law must comply with the Fourth Amendment and Tennessee's constitutional protections against unreasonable searches. This bill directly affects school staff, students (especially minors), and parents/guardians by setting clear limits on who can conduct searches and when parental involvement is required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates parental consent for student searches and Fourth Amendment compliance, protecting civil rights in school law enforcement actions, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 674: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to conduct a study concerning subjects related to access of family members to incarcerated persons for visitation; requires the department to report its findings to each member of the general assembly and to provide a copy of the report to the legislative librarian by no later than January 31, 2027. - Amends TCA Title 41, Chapter 51.

HB 674, the "Proximity Placement and Family Visitation Incentive Act," would allow eligible incarcerated individuals in Tennessee correctional facilities to request a transfer to a facility closer to their home county if they maintain good behavior for at least 12 months and participate in rehabilitation programs. Priority for transfers would go to inmates with families that regularly visit them (verified by records) or face financial hardship from travel costs. The Tennessee Department of Correction would track and report annually on visitation patterns, eligible inmates, and transfer numbers to monitor the program’s implementation. This bill directly affects incarcerated people seeking closer family visits and the state’s correctional system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes rehabilitation participation and family visits to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals through proximity placement incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 243: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

SB 243 creates a Class E felony for altering, defacing, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or distinguishing mark, or for selling, purchasing, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle firearms with altered markings. The bill imposes a mandatory minimum 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no possibility of early release. This law amends Tennessee Code sections covering criminal offenses related to firearms and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 180-day sentence for firearm serial number alteration, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per Criminal Justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 854: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, allows a magistrate to consider hearsay evidence when determining whether a defendant should be released on bail pending trial and the amount of bail necessary to reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant while at the same time protecting the safety of the public. - Amends TCA Title 24; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 854 allows Tennessee magistrates to consider reliable hearsay evidence, such as computer printouts of state and federal criminal records from the TBI and FBI, when deciding whether to release a defendant on bail and setting the bail amount. Defendants must be given a fair opportunity to challenge any such evidence used against them. This law directly affects individuals facing pretrial release decisions in Tennessee courts, changing how magistrates assess risk and public safety concerns during bail hearings. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-11-115(b) and 40-11-118(b) to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows hearsay evidence with defendant challenge rights, balancing public safety and due process in pretrial releases - aligns with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1475: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for aggravated cruelty to animals from a Class E felony to a Class D felony; adds aggravated cruelty to animals as an offense for which a juvenile may be classified as a serious youthful offender. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.

SB 1475 increases penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals in Tennessee from a Class E felony to a Class D felony under Title 39, Section 39-14-212. It also adds this offense to the list of crimes that can lead to a juvenile being classified as a serious youthful offender under Title 37, Section 37-1-131. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of severe animal cruelty and juvenile offenders charged with this specific offense. Key changes include updating felony classifications in both criminal and juvenile justice codes, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026. The bill does not alter existing penalties for other animal cruelty offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for animal cruelty (Class E to Class D felony) and expands juvenile criminalization, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increased sentencing and expanded criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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