Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 710: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires the punishment for the offense of misuse of official information to include at least 30 hours of community service work to be determined by the court, in addition to any other punishment authorized by law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 4.

SB 710 amends Tennessee law to require that public servants convicted of misusing official information (a Class B misdemeanor) must complete at least 30 hours of community service, determined by the court, in addition to any other penalties allowed under law. This bill directly affects public employees who misuse their position or access to official information. The key provision adds a mandatory community service requirement to existing punishments for this specific offense, as outlined in amended Tennessee Code § 39-16-404(b). The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds mandatory community service for public servant misuse of information, promoting rehabilitation over pure punishment per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 592: Public Funds and Financing - As introduced, requires the board of claims to hear claims for compensation by persons wrongfully imprisoned whose charges are dismissed and sentences vacated; authorizes persons whose charges were dismissed and sentences vacated prior to enactment of this legislation to file a claim within one year; authorizes surviving spouse and children the right to file a claim with the board of claims on behalf of a person who was wrongfully imprisoned and died prior to filing a claim; grants surviving adult children the same right as surviving minor children to receive payments from an award. - Amends TCA Section 9-8-108.

HB 592 expands eligibility for compensation to individuals wrongfully imprisoned whose sentences were vacated due to actual innocence (not just exoneration), including those with dismissed charges under specific statutes. It allows people wrongfully imprisoned before the law's enactment to file claims within one year of the bill's effective date. Surviving spouses and children can now file claims on behalf of a deceased wrongfully imprisoned person, with payments distributed to surviving family members as specified. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 9-8-108 to clarify these provisions and ensure access to compensation for affected individuals and their families.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands compensation for wrongfully imprisoned individuals, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and addressing systemic errors in sentencing.92% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 1030: Probation and Parole - As introduced, enacts the "Parole Relief and Opportunity Act"; expands the definition of hardship for purposes of determining the ability of a parolee to contribute to the cost of the person's supervision and release. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1030, the "Parole Relief and Opportunity Act," expands the definition of hardship for parolees who cannot afford supervision costs due to basic needs like food and housing, or lack of employment despite reasonable efforts. It requires the Department of Correction to waive certain fees (including supervision contributions) for parolees meeting this new hardship standard, as defined in Section 40-28-202(a)(8). The bill also prevents parole revocation for two months of non-payment if a parolee demonstrates hardship and requests reevaluation, waiving unpaid contributions until financial circumstances improve. This directly affects parolees struggling with poverty or family responsibilities who previously faced revocation for unpaid fees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands hardship definition for parolees to include basic needs, waives fees for eligible individuals, and prevents revocation for non-payment - aligns with reform goals to reduce recidivism and ease reentry barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 468: Safety - As enacted, enacts the "Riley Gaines Women's Safety and Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49 and Title 68.

SB 468, the "Women's Safety and Protection Act," defines "female" and "male" biologically (based on reproductive systems at birth) for state law applications. It requires Tennessee state agencies to maintain separate facilities and accommodations for biological females in correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, domestic violence shelters, restrooms, and dormitories to protect safety and privacy. The bill mandates that biological sex - not gender identity - determines eligibility for these spaces, prohibiting agencies from banning such distinctions in settings where safety or privacy is a concern. It applies directly to women, girls, and facilities serving them, with specific provisions for restrooms, sleeping quarters, and shelter access. The law overrides conflicting state laws to enforce these biological sex-based definitions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates biological sex over gender identity in correctional facilities, restricting transgender individuals' rights in custody settings per bill's facility separation requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 578: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds certain criminal offenses to the list of dangerous felonies for purposes of the offense of possessing a firearm or antique firearm during commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 578 expands Tennessee's list of "dangerous felonies" to include new offenses like human trafficking, aggravated stalking, methamphetamine manufacturing, and drug trafficking. This change means that if someone possesses a firearm (including antique firearms) while committing or attempting any of these newly listed crimes, they face enhanced penalties. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who own firearms, increasing legal consequences for firearm possession during such crimes. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-1324 to add 14 new offenses to the existing dangerous felony list, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands dangerous felonies to include human trafficking/drug trafficking, imposing harsher firearm possession penalties. Increases mandatory sentences and expands criminalization, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 1395: 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 1395 restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" once their sentence (including incarceration, probation, or parole) ends, without requiring them to pay restitution, court costs, or be current on child support. The bill removes previous barriers by automatically reinstating voting rights upon sentence completion, rather than requiring court approval or full citizenship restoration. It specifically affects individuals with such convictions who have served their sentences, clarifying that only voting rights - not full citizenship - are restored. The law updates voter registration forms and election codes to reflect this change, ensuring eligibility is determined solely by sentence completion. This policy change applies to convictions both before and after May 18, 1981.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights automatically after sentence completion without financial barriers, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing recidivism barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 971: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, exempts a prisoner of a county workhouse or jail who is released from custody on work release from wearing an electronic monitoring device if the prisoner was convicted of a non-violent crime and the sheriff has determined that the prisoner poses a low risk to the public and for escape. - Amends TCA Title 41, Chapter 2.

Senate Bill 971 would exempt certain county jail or workhouse prisoners on work release from wearing electronic monitoring devices. Specifically, it applies to individuals convicted of non-violent crimes who are determined by the sheriff to pose a low risk to public safety and for escape. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 41, Chapter 2, to remove the current requirement for electronic monitoring under these conditions. This change would directly affect eligible inmates in Tennessee county correctional facilities participating in work release programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts low-risk non-violent offenders from electronic monitoring, reducing unnecessary restrictions and supporting rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 591: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, clarifies, for purposes of criminal offenses relative to threats of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity or failing to report such threats, that a threat of mass violence is credible if the threat causes another to reasonably expect the commission of an act of mass violence. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 591 creates two new offenses in Tennessee law: a Class E felony for recklessly threatening mass violence against child care agencies, preschools, or religious institutions via any communication method, and a Class B misdemeanor for failing to report such threats. The bill requires anyone who knows of such a threat to immediately report it to local law enforcement and the affected institution, including specific details like the threat's nature and the person making it. It also allows courts to order threat-related defendants to undergo evaluations for potential harm and mandates restitution for disruptions caused by threats. The law directly affects individuals making or ignoring threats to vulnerable institutions, with penalties taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses (Class E felony/misdemeanor) for threats against institutions, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens school safety by criminalizing threats of mass violence and mandating reporting, directly protecting students and staff.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

died · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 58: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an employing law enforcement agency to contact any prior law enforcement agency that employed the agency's officer or special deputy as part of the thorough investigation into the person's good moral character. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8.

HB 58 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to contact a job candidate's previous law enforcement employers as part of verifying their "good moral character" during hiring. This applies directly to police departments and sheriff's offices when vetting new officers or special deputies. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate this specific step in the background check process. As a procedural change to hiring requirements, it does not alter substantive law or create new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prior employer contact for officer vetting, enhancing accountability in law enforcement hiring per bill's procedural change to background checks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 979: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for engaging in harassing behavior against a first responder engaged in official duties under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 979 creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of a first responder (including police, firefighters, EMTs, or corrections officers) during official duties after being verbally warned not to, when the intent is to impede their work, threaten them, or cause emotional distress. The law directly affects individuals who harass first responders in these specific circumstances while they are performing their duties. Key provisions require a prior verbal warning, define "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress with no legitimate purpose, and specify the three prohibited intents. This bill aims to protect first responders from disruptive or threatening behavior during emergency operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class B misdemeanor for harassing first responders during duties, strengthening law enforcement protection within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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