SB 1686 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create a performance-based contracting program for entities operating state prison facilities. It ties 25% of each contractor's annual funding to yearly improvements on specific, measurable outcomes - including staff turnover rates, inmate safety metrics (like preventable deaths and sexual violence incidents), participation in rehabilitation programs, and post-release employment. Contractors must meet these targets to receive the full 25% payment; otherwise, the funds revert to the state general fund. The program must be implemented within six months, with quarterly audits by the comptroller to verify compliance and public reporting of results.
SB 1933 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to provide inmate records to any state legislator upon written request. Legislators must specify the inmate's name and sign a confidentiality agreement before reviewing records, which must remain in the department's possession during the review. The bill enables legislators to check whether correction laws are being followed for inmates in custody. It does not change existing laws but creates a process for legislative oversight of correctional compliance.
SB 1678 increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents that cause death in Tennessee. The bill requires a mandatory minimum one-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine for drivers who knew or should have reasonably known death resulted from the accident. It amends Tennessee law to reclassify such offenses as a Class E felony, applying to incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2026. This directly affects drivers who flee the scene of fatal crashes without stopping.
SB 1900 increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in Tennessee by upgrading the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change mandates a $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence for assaulting police officers or other first responders, compared to the current $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum for assaulting nurses. The bill specifically amends Tennessee law to impose these stricter penalties for assaults on law enforcement, while keeping existing misdemeanor penalties for assaults on nurses. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers or first responders.
SB 1759 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to permanently retain a copy of each inmate's officially verified risk and needs assessment for the entire duration of their incarceration. This applies to all inmates under the department's supervision, mandating that these assessments be kept on file without expiration. The bill amends Tennessee law (Title 41) to establish this record-keeping requirement, ensuring consistent access to assessment data throughout an inmate's time in custody. It does not change assessment criteria, inmate programs, or release procedures - only the retention of existing assessment records.
SB 1658 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI (driving under the influence) who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone with active warning flashers. This applies to anyone convicted of a DUI offense meeting those specific conditions, increasing their sentence beyond the standard penalty. The 30-day minimum must be served in addition to any other jail time for the DUI conviction. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.
HB 1551 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to coordinate with the Department of Safety to provide driver licenses to inmates discharged after serving felony sentences who had a valid license before incarceration and plan to live in Tennessee. It automatically extends the expiration date of an inmate's driver license by six months if it expired during incarceration or within six months after release. The bill clarifies that a license expired solely due to incarceration is considered "in good standing," and inmates without valid licenses may receive a photo ID license instead. This policy directly affects released felons who held valid licenses prior to imprisonment.
HB 1755 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone when warning flashers (like those on school buses) were active. This applies to all DUI convictions meeting both conditions, increasing the sentence beyond the standard penalty under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-401 and 55-10-402 to implement this change, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects drivers convicted of DUI in active school zone scenarios with operational warning lights. The provision does not apply to DUI offenses without these specific conditions.
HB 1938 prohibits Tennessee state agencies and local governments (counties, cities, or metropolitan governments) from entering new contracts or renewing existing contracts for private prisons. It directly affects entities currently using private facilities to house inmates under the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction or local governments. The bill amends Tennessee law to ban all new or renewed agreements for correctional services or facilities for these inmates, effective upon enactment. This bill is currently pending in the State & Local Government Committee after being introduced in early 2026.
SB 1950 modifies Tennessee's driver license rules to allow certain individuals to obtain a for-hire endorsement for Class D vehicles. It specifically waives the standard two-year unrestricted driving requirement for applicants who: (1) completed a sentence of incarceration for an offense, (2) currently hold a restricted license due to unpaid fines/court costs, and (3) are making payments under a court-approved plan. This change directly affects people with past convictions who are resolving financial obligations through structured payment plans. The bill does not alter other eligibility criteria like age, vehicle type, or character requirements.
