SB 1107 removes legal immunity for Tennessee attorneys who commit serious misconduct during court proceedings, such as lying under oath, tampering with evidence, or coercing witnesses. It directly affects attorneys representing clients or prospective clients in court by making them subject to criminal prosecution for specific offenses defined in state law. The bill amends Tennessee Code to explicitly state that attorneys are not protected by the litigation privilege when engaging in acts like perjury, subornation of perjury, or falsifying evidence. This change aims to uphold court integrity by holding attorneys accountable for actions that undermine truth in legal cases.
HB 489 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to submit an annual report by February 1st on the effectiveness of programs that divert offenders from state correctional facilities. The report must be sent to three specific legislative committees: the House committee on criminal justice, the Senate judiciary committee, and the Senate fiscal review committee. This bill amends Tennessee law to establish this reporting requirement but does not change existing diversion programs or policies. The measure focuses on creating a regular process for legislative oversight of current correctional practices.
SB 583 creates a grant program for Tennessee public schools in counties with a teen crime rate (ages 10-17) at least 10% higher than the statewide average. The Tennessee Department of Education will award grants to eligible school districts (LEAs) to fund after-school programs for students in grades K-12, requiring programs to include educational activities. Funds can expand existing programs, start new ones, or partner with 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Schools must report annually on participation and program outcomes to the legislature.
SB 250 creates a Class A misdemeanor for adults who recklessly store firearms in a way that allows a child under 18 to access them, and the child later brings the firearm to a school. It directly affects firearm owners - such as parents or guardians - who fail to secure guns safely, knowing or reasonably should know a child could reach them. The law defines "school" broadly to include buildings, buses, campuses, athletic fields, and other school-owned properties. Violating this law carries penalties for the person who stored the firearm recklessly, not the child. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 237 requires Tennessee juvenile courts to automatically transfer to adult criminal court any 16-year-old or older youth accused of a delinquent act (a crime if committed by an adult) who has a prior court finding of delinquency for any offense. The transfer happens if the court finds probable cause the youth committed the current act and the youth is not committable to a mental health facility. Juveniles and their families must receive 14 days' written notice before a hearing to determine if these conditions are met. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025, changing how certain repeat juvenile offenders are processed in the justice system.
HB 196 raises the maximum fine for transferring property using a general warranty deed while knowing about existing liens and intending to defraud from $3,000 to $4,000. This change applies to Tennessee law in Titles 8, 39, 62, and 66, specifically targeting real estate fraud cases. The bill directly affects individuals who commit this offense and the courts that set penalties for such crimes. It increases the potential financial penalty without altering the felony classification of the crime.
HB 1217 would repeal Tennessee's criminal abortion laws and establish a fundamental right to abortion before fetal viability (when a fetus can survive outside the womb) or when necessary to protect the pregnant person's life or health. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals in Tennessee by removing criminal penalties for abortions meeting these criteria and defining "reproductive health care" to include abortion services. Key provisions include banning state interference with these rights, defining "viability" based on a physician's medical judgment, and clarifying that a fetus has no legal rights under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39, 63, and 68 to implement these changes.
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.
SB 17 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to share an individual’s immigration status with federal officials only when that person has been arrested for a criminal offense. It exempts school resource officers regarding students and people not arrested (such as victims or witnesses). The bill imposes a $1,000 civil penalty for noncompliance, enforceable by the attorney general. This bill failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 17, 2025, and has not advanced further.
SB 490 would have allowed individuals convicted of a Class E felony for "official misconduct" to have their court records erased from public access. This bill directly affected people with such convictions who met specific eligibility criteria. The key provision would have amended Tennessee law to create a new expunction pathway for this specific offense, enabling the destruction of related court records. However, the bill failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 11, 2025, and did not become law.
