Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2381: Expunction - As introduced, extends the time period within which a court ordering the expunction of a person's public records of a criminal offense must send a copy of the expunction order to the Tennessee bureau of investigation from 30 days to 45 days. - Amends TCA Section 8-21-401 and Title 40.

SB 2381 extends the deadline for Tennessee courts to notify the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) after ordering the expunction (sealing) of a criminal record, increasing the timeframe from 30 to 45 days. This change directly affects courts issuing expunction orders and the TBI, which must receive the notification within the new 45-day window. The bill amends specific provisions of Tennessee law (TCA Section 40-32-102(d)) to adjust this administrative process without altering eligibility for expunction. It focuses solely on streamlining the notification procedure for criminal record expungement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends deadline for court expunction notifications, facilitating record sealing - a key criminal justice reform to reduce barriers for individuals with past convictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2370: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for vehicular homicide from a Class C felony to a Class B felony if the offense occurred as the proximate result of the driver's extreme and excessive rate of speed; defines "extreme and excessive rate of speed" as traveling at more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

SB 2370 amends Tennessee law to increase penalties for vehicular homicide when a driver's speed was the direct cause. It defines "extreme and excessive rate of speed" as traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the posted limit. If this speed condition applies, vehicular homicide becomes a Class B felony (up from Class C). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects drivers convicted of speeding-related fatal accidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases vehicular homicide penalties from Class C to Class B felony for speeding over 20 mph over limit, aligning with oppose indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for speeding-related vehicular homicide, enhancing road safety standards under transportation regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2662: Safety, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts the “Oral-Fluid DUI Testing and Evidence-Based Enforcement Safeguards Act." - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 4.

SB 2662 establishes strict rules for using oral-fluid tests in DUI cases in Tennessee. It requires officers to document specific, observable driving-related reasons (not general suspicions) before administering tests, and mandates that screening results alone cannot be used as evidence for arrest or license suspension. The bill requires approved devices, proper calibration documentation, and a confirmatory lab test (using accredited methods) for any evidence to be admissible in court. It also guarantees defendants the right to independent lab testing of preserved samples and requires law enforcement to retain detailed records for three years or longer.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires specific driving reasons for testing, prohibits screening results alone as evidence, and mandates confirmatory lab tests to protect defendant rights and ensure reliable evidence in DUI cases.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by requiring reliable evidence for DUI enforcement, preventing wrongful arrests and ensuring only valid cases proceed.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Driver Licensing Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2343: Sentencing - As introduced, establishes parole criteria for certain persons convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life; specifies that if a person is convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life, then the sentence must automatically expire after the person has served 40 years. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

SB 2343 changes parole rules for individuals convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 2020. It establishes a minimum 25-year sentence before parole eligibility, with up to 35 years reduced through specific criteria: 10 years for 10 years without violent misconduct, 10 years for 10 years drug-free, 10 years for completing an accredited degree, and 5 years for finishing required correctional programs. If parole criteria aren't met, the sentence automatically expires after 40 years of incarceration. The bill applies retroactively to eligible inmates already serving life sentences as of July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes rehabilitation incentives (education, drug-free, programs) for parole eligibility, reducing mandatory life sentences. Aligns with reform goals of reducing recidivism through rehabilitation-focused sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2183: Elder Abuse - As introduced, extends from 10 to 20 days, the time within which a court must schedule a hearing on a petition to freeze the funds of a criminal defendant charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult involving the taking more than $5,000 of property while the criminal proceeding is pending for purposes of restitution to the victim. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15.

HB 2183 extends the deadline for courts to schedule hearings on motions to freeze a criminal defendant's funds in cases involving financial exploitation of elderly or vulnerable adults. The bill changes the timeframe from 10 to 20 days after a motion is filed, specifically for cases where the defendant took over $5,000 in property. This applies to criminal proceedings pending restitution for victims, giving courts more time to act before the hearing. The change directly affects courts handling these elder abuse cases and aims to streamline the process for returning assets to victims. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 39-15-502(c)(4) and is pending legislative action.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends court deadline for victim restitution in elder financial exploitation cases, ensuring timely recovery of funds for victims, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2253: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, prohibits a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for conduct that, if committed by an adult, would constitute the offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence from purchasing or possessing a firearm until the juvenile reaches 25; prohibits a person appropriately licensed by the federal government from selling a firearm to a person who is ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to any court order or under any law of this state; increases penalties for sexual exploitation of a minor offenses. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.

HB 2253 prohibits juveniles adjudicated delinquent for conduct that would be "threatening to commit an act of mass violence" if committed by an adult from purchasing or possessing firearms until age 25. It also requires federally licensed firearm sellers to verify buyers are not prohibited under court orders or state law. The bill increases penalties for sexual exploitation of minors by raising felony classifications: possession of 50+ images becomes a Class B felony (100+ is Class A), and distribution of 25+ images becomes a Class A felony. These changes amend Tennessee’s criminal code in Titles 37 and 39, effective July 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for sexual exploitation of minors by raising felony classifications, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 2434: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the Class C misdemeanor offense of knowingly using an unmanned aircraft over the grounds of a school. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 49.

SB 2434 creates a new Class C misdemeanor offense for knowingly operating an unmanned aircraft (drone) over the grounds of a school in Tennessee. This law directly affects drone operators who fly near schools, making such intentional activity a punishable offense. The bill amends Tennessee Code to add this specific provision under criminal offenses, classifying it as a Class C misdemeanor (not a felony) and setting an effective date of July 1, 2026. It does not apply to general drone use but specifically targets flights over school property without authorization.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for drone use near schools, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence

died · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2472: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, defines "criminally negligent conduct,” as used in the offense of criminally negligent homicide, to include failing or refusing to render aid to another person who is unconscious or in need of medical care and the person failing to act knows or reasonably should know that the unconsciousness or need for medical care occurred after the consumption of any controlled substance. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 2472 amends Tennessee's criminal code to redefine "criminally negligent conduct" for negligent homicide charges. It specifically includes failing to assist someone who is unconscious or needs medical care *if* the person knows or should know the condition resulted from controlled substance use. This directly affects individuals who witness drug-related medical emergencies but do not provide aid. The bill expands the legal definition of negligent homicide to cover these situations, effective July 1, 2026, without changing existing penalties. The amendment applies only to cases where drug use caused the medical emergency.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminal liability for failing to assist during drug-related medical emergencies, increasing criminalization under negligent homicide charges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2582: Sentencing - As introduced, increases from one year to three years the amount of time a defendant receiving a split sentence of confinement and probation may be required to serve a portion of the sentence in continuous confinement in the local jail or workhouse; specifies that the state is responsible for all costs of incarceration after the first year. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 2582 modifies Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving split sentences (part jail, part probation). It increases the mandatory continuous jail time from one to three years for such sentences and requires the state to cover all incarceration costs after the first year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-35-306(a) and 40-35-314(a) to implement these changes. This directly affects individuals sentenced under split confinement terms who would previously have served less time in jail. The policy change shifts state responsibility for long-term incarceration costs beyond the initial year.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory continuous jail time from 1 to 3 years for split sentences, expanding incarceration without rehabilitation focus95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2452: Expunction - As enacted, permits a court to expunge certain violent offenses for which a person has been pardoned; requires the court to consider, in weighing the best interests of justice and public safety, whether the offense sought to be expunged was violent and any other relevant factors presented by the petitioner and the district attorney general. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 2452 allows courts to clear certain violent criminal records from public view after a person receives a pardon. It directly affects individuals who were pardoned for violent offenses that previously could not be expunged under Tennessee law. The bill requires courts to weigh public safety and consider whether the offense was violent (including murder, aggravated kidnapping, or sexual offenses involving minors), along with other factors from both the petitioner and prosecutors. This changes prior rules that blocked expungement of violent offenses even after a pardon. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40 to enable this process while maintaining safeguards for public safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expungement of pardoned violent offenses, aiding reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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