Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 1867: Evidence - As introduced, permits the introduction into evidence of a video recording of a child victim being interviewed by a forensic interviewer regarding sexual or physically violent contact with the child if the forensic interviewer is an employee of the department of children's services and meets certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 2 and Title 24, Chapter 7, Part 1.

SB 1867 allows video recordings of child victims' interviews conducted by Department of Children's Services employees to be used as evidence in court, specifically for cases involving sexual or physical violence. The recordings are admissible only if the interview was supervised by a qualifying child advocacy center meeting specific standards and the interviewer meets all required qualifications. This law applies directly to child abuse cases in Tennessee, modifying evidence rules under Titles 9 and 24 of the Tennessee Code. The provision expires on July 1, 2031, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows child victim interview videos as admissible evidence in abuse cases, streamlining court proceedings and reducing trauma for victims, enhancing victim-centered justice in criminal cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1745: Election Laws - As introduced, restores a person's right of suffrage automatically upon the person's discharge from custody by reason of service or expiration of the maximum sentence imposed by the court for the infamous crime. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

HB 1745 automatically restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" upon their release from prison or when their maximum sentence expires. It directly affects individuals who have completed sentences for such convictions, eliminating the need for a governor's pardon or special conditions to regain voting eligibility. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove current disqualifications for those no longer incarcerated for these crimes, requiring county election commissions to accept prison discharge documentation as proof of restored rights. This change applies to both state and federal convictions that would qualify as infamous crimes under Tennessee law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals post-sentence, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and civil rights without requiring gubernatorial action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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died · Tennessee · House May 4, 2026

HB 2078: Courts - As enacted, enacts the "Parental Rights Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 8 and Title 40, Chapter 11.

HB 2078, the "Parental Rights Protection Act," requires courts to hold a quick court review within 15 days if a criminal defendant's bond restricts their contact with, custody of, or visitation with a minor child (who isn't a victim of the crime). The government must prove, with clear evidence, that a serious threat to the child exists, less restrictive options won't work, and the restriction is truly in the child's best interest. If the court doesn't hold the review on time, the bond condition automatically cancels. The bill also presumes that parental contact is generally in a child's best interest. This directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee facing bond conditions involving their children.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires courts to justify bond restrictions on parental contact with evidence, protecting defendants' rights and ensuring due process per criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Tennessee · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 1638: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, increases from 90 to 100 days of receiving a valid judgment of conviction for when the department has to notify the victim witness coordinator of the scheduled parole hearing date when the inmate will be eligible for parole consideration. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1638 extends the timeframe for the Tennessee Department of Correction to notify victims about parole hearings. It changes the deadline from 90 to 100 days after a court conviction for inmates eligible for parole consideration. This affects the Department of Correction (which must send notifications) and victim witness coordinators (who receive them). The bill amends Tennessee law to give the Department an extra 10 days for this notification process, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends victim notification timeline for parole hearings, enhancing victim rights and procedural transparency in criminal justice85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1953: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, removes from the offense of violation of a protective order or restraining order the requirement that the person violating the order must have had an opportunity to appear and be heard in connection with the order of protection or restraining order and that the court must have made specific findings of fact in the order that the person committed a certain offense. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

HB 1953 modifies Tennessee's legal standards for violations of protective or restraining orders. It removes two specific requirements: that the person violating the order must have had a prior court hearing opportunity, and that the court must have made detailed factual findings about the violation in the original order. This change simplifies the legal process for prosecuting violations, directly affecting individuals accused of breaching such orders and the courts enforcing them. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 39-13-113 and 39-17-1316, taking effect July 1, 2026. It focuses on procedural adjustments to enforcement, not substantive policy changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves procedural safeguards (prior hearing requirement, factual findings) for protective order violations, reducing defendant due process and expanding prosecutorial authority, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1929: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, adds to the list of certain offenses required to be served at 100 percent of the sentence imposed by the court undiminished by any sentence reduction credits, the attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit those offenses. - Amends TCA Section 40-35-501.

SB 1929 requires individuals convicted of conspiracy, attempt, or solicitation to commit certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without reduction credits (like good time). It expands the existing list of offenses subject to this rule to include these preparatory acts for the same crimes already mandated to have full sentences. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying offenses that trigger the rule. This policy change affects people convicted of these specific preparatory acts for the designated crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands mandatory 100% sentencing without credits for conspiracy/attempt, restricting defendant rights and increasing punishment for preparatory acts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2085: Victims' Rights - As enacted, authorizes a court clerk to increase the victims assistance assessment from $45 to $125, with the first $15 of each assessment being paid to the court clerk for processing and handling and the remaining amount being transmitted to the county in which the offense occurred for the exclusive use of the victims assistance program previously designated by the county legislative body. - Amends TCA Section 40-24-109.

SB 2085 (Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-24-109) increases the victims' assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of certain crimes, including those who plead guilty, are found guilty, or enter diversion programs. The fee applies to criminal cases in Tennessee courts and directly affects convicted defendants. The bill specifies that $15 of each assessment goes to the court clerk for processing, while the remaining $110 must be sent to the county’s designated victim assistance program. This change redirects funding to support local victim services under existing state law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases fee revenue ($110/case) directly funding county victim assistance programs, advancing public service funding under budget/tax framework.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases funding for victim assistance programs via higher fees on convicted defendants, directly supporting victims within the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1765: Probation and Parole - As introduced, permits a trial judge to revoke a defendant's probation for a felony or misdemeanor based on one instance of technical violation; extends the permitted terms of incarceration a court may impose for a technical violation to 90 days for a first revocation, 180 days for a second revocation, and the remainder of the sentence for a third or subsequent revocation. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 1765 allows Tennessee trial judges to revoke probation for felony or misdemeanor offenders based solely on a "technical violation" (like missing a check-in or failing a drug test), without requiring a new crime. For first or second revocations, judges can impose up to 90 or 180 days in jail, respectively; third or subsequent revocations may result in the full remaining sentence. The bill explicitly excludes new criminal offenses from this process, requiring separate handling under existing rules. It defines "technical violation" as breaking probation terms without committing a new crime, and offers community-based alternatives for resentence. This changes how courts handle probation breaches, focusing on minor rule violations rather than new offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands incarceration for technical probation violations (e.g., missed check-ins), increasing mandatory jail terms without new crimes, restricting defendant rights and opposing reform efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 1779: Immigration - As enacted, creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally failing or refusing to depart when a final order of removal is outstanding; creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally entering, attempting to enter, or being found in this state after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed from the United States. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1779 creates two new Class A misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee related to immigration status. It makes it illegal for individuals with a final removal order to remain in the state beyond 90 days without departing, and for those previously denied entry, deported, or removed to re-enter the state without federal consent. The bill would impose penalties including up to 11 months in jail for these violations, with courts required to stay criminal proceedings if the person is still challenging the federal removal order through legal channels. The law’s implementation is delayed until after a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturns *Arizona v. United States* (2012) or federal law explicitly allows states to determine unlawful presence, with full effect scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for immigration status violations, imposing jail time and expanding criminalization of immigration matters, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanding criminalization.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates Class A misdemeanors for immigrants with removal orders or denied entry, imposing jail time and increasing state enforcement against undocumented individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1721: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, prohibits a court from assessing court costs against a defendant in a criminal proceeding if the defendant is found not guilty by a jury or by a judge following a bench trial on all charges for which the defendant was accused, the prosecution is dismissed or a nolle prosequi is entered by the state, or the charges against the defendant are dismissed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1721 would prevent courts from charging defendants with court costs in Tennessee criminal cases under three specific circumstances: when a defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge on all charges), when the state dismisses charges or enters a "nolle prosequi" (a formal decision not to prosecute), or when a court dismisses the charges. This directly affects individuals who are acquitted or have their criminal cases dropped without conviction. The bill amends Tennessee law to require courts to waive all court costs in these situations, eliminating financial penalties for cleared defendants. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents court costs for acquitted defendants, aligning with civil rights protection and reducing financial burdens in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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