Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1224: Expunction - As introduced, reduces from 15 years to 10 years the amount of time that must have elapsed since the completion of the sentence imposed for illegal registration or voting before filing a petition for expunction. - Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 19 and Title 40, Chapter 32.

SB 1224 changes Tennessee law to shorten the waiting period for clearing certain criminal records related to voting or registration offenses. It reduces the required time from 15 years to 10 years after completing a sentence before someone can file for expunction (record clearing). This directly affects individuals convicted of illegal voter registration or voting who want to clear their records. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-32-101 and related provisions, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill shortens expunction waiting period from 15 to 10 years for voting/registration offenses, aiding record clearance and reducing barriers to reentry - direct criminal justice reform.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 449: 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.

HB 449 would restore voting rights for Tennesseans convicted of an "infamous crime" (serious offenses like murder or rape) once their sentence ends, without requiring them to pay fines, restitution, or child support first. Currently, people with such convictions must clear all financial obligations and have their full citizenship rights restored to vote again. The bill changes eligibility rules to allow voting simply after sentence completion, verified through a certificate from prison or parole officials. It also updates voter registration forms to ask about sentence completion instead of full citizenship restoration. This affects people convicted of infamous crimes in Tennessee or other states who have finished their sentences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for felons post-sentence without financial barriers, promoting reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform aligned with indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 616: 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.

HB 616 would restore voting rights in Tennessee for people convicted of "infamous crimes" once their sentence (including incarceration, probation, or parole) ends. It removes the current requirements that individuals must pay all restitution, court costs, or be current on child support obligations before regaining voting rights. The bill clarifies that voting rights restoration does not automatically restore all citizenship rights (like jury service or holding office). This directly affects Tennesseans with past convictions for crimes classified as "infamous" under state law, allowing them to vote after serving their sentence without financial or child support hurdles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated without financial barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reintegration and civil rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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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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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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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 959: Sentencing - As introduced, permits a person who is serving a sentence of incarceration of eight years or more for an offense committed prior to January 1, 2026, and who is a victim of domestic abuse subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the same family or household as the person to submit to the sentencing court, a request to apply for resentencing. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 959 allows individuals serving 8+ years in prison for crimes committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) inflicted by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit court records, police reports, or other verified evidence proving their abuse history and current sentence eligibility. Courts will review prison program participation (like domestic violence counseling) and abuse history but cannot reconsider the original conviction. If approved, the court may reduce the sentence while crediting time already served.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows resentencing for domestic abuse victims serving long sentences, reducing harsh penalties and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to address trauma-driven offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1372: 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.

HB 1372 removes the killing of another committed during certain crimes (like robbery or burglary) from the definition of first-degree murder in Tennessee law. It also deletes two specific criminal responsibility provisions that allowed prosecutors to charge individuals for facilitating felonies or being an accomplice. These changes would directly affect prosecutors, defendants, and courts by altering how violent crimes are classified and prosecuted. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee’s criminal code (including Titles 39 and 40) to simplify these legal definitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces first-degree murder charges for killings during certain crimes and removes accomplice liability, aligning with criminal justice reform by lessening penalties and expanding defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

died · Tennessee · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 33: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, establishes a presumption that a defendant should not be released on the defendant’s personal recognizance if the defendant is charged with a felony offense that involved the use or display of a firearm or resulted in the serious bodily injury or death of the victim; requires a magistrate who determines that the presumption has been rebutted to include in the bail order written findings for each factor considered in making such a determination. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 33 establishes a new rule for pretrial release in Tennessee: defendants charged with offenses involving firearm use/display or causing serious injury/death are presumed not to be released on their own promise to return to court (personal recognizance). This directly affects individuals facing these specific charges during initial court hearings. If a judge decides to override this presumption, they must provide written reasons for each factor considered in their decision. The bill amends Tennessee law to take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts pretrial release for firearm/serious injury offenses, requiring judicial justification to override presumption, reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Judges

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 1444: 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.

HB 1444 increases penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals in Tennessee, raising the offense from a Class E to a Class D felony. It also adds this crime to the list of offenses that can lead to juveniles being classified as "serious youthful offenders" under state law. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of severe animal cruelty (including juveniles) and takes effect July 1, 2026. These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 39-14-212 (criminal penalties) and 37-1-131 (juvenile classification).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for animal cruelty (Class E to D felony) and expands juvenile criminalization, opposing reform by strengthening punitive measures rather than promoting rehabilitation or rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 216: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, raises from $3,000 to $4,000, the maximum fine that a jury may impose for the offense of conveyance by general warranty deed with knowledge of existing liens. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 39; Title 62 and Title 66.

SB 216 increases the maximum fine for a specific property fraud offense from $3,000 to $4,000. It targets individuals who transfer land using a general warranty deed while knowingly concealing existing liens or mortgages with the intent to defraud creditors. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 66-3-104, raising the fine limit within the existing Class E felony framework (which includes imprisonment terms). This change directly affects those committing deed fraud, without altering the felony classification or imprisonment penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum fine for property fraud from $3k to $4k within Class E felony, strengthening punitive measures for specific fraud offense without reform intent.95% confidence

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