Criminal Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2301: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes revisions to the offense of adulteration of food, liquids, or pharmaceuticals. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 57.

HB 2301 makes it a serious crime (Class D felony) to intentionally spike food, drinks, or medicines to cause involuntary intoxication, bodily harm, or death. It directly affects bars, restaurants, and other venues that sell alcohol by requiring them to provide free, rapid drug testing devices for customers to check suspected spiked drinks. The bill specifies these devices must detect at least 10 controlled substances and date rape drugs within 5 minutes, be U.S.-made, and be available upon request. Venues must also display notices about the testing service and ensure devices are unexpired. The law takes effect in 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new Class D felony for spiking, increasing penalties rather than reforming justice systems or protecting rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2289: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - As introduced, enacts the "Federal Enforcement Accountability and Community Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 38 and Title 50.

SB 2289, the "Federal Enforcement Accountability and Community Protection Act," requires Tennessee state and local law enforcement to notify the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) within 24 hours of any federal enforcement action resulting in death or serious injury ("critical incident"). The TBI must then conduct an independent review assessing foreseeability, de-escalation, and state resource involvement, publishing findings publicly within 90 days. The bill prohibits state agencies from providing non-emergency resources to federal agencies during such incidents until the review is complete, while allowing emergency assistance or legally required cooperation. It also explicitly protects bystanders from detention or questioning solely for being present, observing, or traveling near enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates independent TBI review of federal enforcement critical incidents, enhancing accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2587: County Government - As introduced, creates a supplemental pay incentive program for local correctional officers who receive 40 hours or more of in-service training per calendar year. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1 and Title 41.

SB 2587 creates a $800 annual cash bonus for local Tennessee correctional officers who complete at least 40 hours of approved in-service training each year. The bill directly affects full-time, certified correctional officers (like jailers or deputies) employed by counties, provided they have completed 8+ months of service and the training meets specific criteria. Key provisions require counties to use the funds solely as a bonus - never to replace regular pay or salary increases - and exclude support staff or officers with dual certifications. The bonus is not counted toward future pay increases or retirement calculations, and funds are only available if specifically appropriated by the legislature. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds $800 annual bonus for correctional officers completing 40+ hours in-service training, directly supporting staff competency and facility operations within corrections.90% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2436: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras to adopt a written policy for the use of the cameras by its law enforcement officers; establishes certain requirements for the policies. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 1.

HB 2436 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies using body cameras to create written policies governing their use. These policies must cover when officers must activate cameras (e.g., during calls for service or public encounters), how to handle privacy-sensitive situations (like domestic violence victims or anonymous crime reports), and mandate officer training. The bill prohibits using cameras to record First Amendment activities or unrelated incidents, and requires officers to notify people being recorded when possible. It directly affects all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and officers who use body cameras.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires body camera policies with accountability measures, privacy protections, and training to enhance officer transparency and civil rights compliance in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2201: Juvenile Offenders - As enacted, specifies that if a student is referred to juvenile court for being unlawfully absent from school and is ultimately adjudicated to be unruly, that the disposition made by the juvenile judge or magistrate may include the suspension of the student's driving privileges or ability to obtain a driver license for a period of up to one year. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 30 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

SB 2201 allows juvenile courts in Tennessee to suspend a student’s driving privileges or prevent them from obtaining a driver’s license for up to one year if the student is adjudicated "unruly" for unlawful school absences. This applies specifically to students referred to juvenile court for truancy and found unruly under Tennessee law. The bill amends existing statutes (TCA Title 37, 49, and 55) to add driving suspension as a permitted court disposition. It directly affects students facing juvenile court for truancy-related offenses, with the policy change taking effect July 1, 2026. The measure does not alter truancy reporting requirements but expands potential consequences for adjudicated cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds driving suspension for juvenile truancy, expanding criminalization of minor school absences beyond traditional court dispositions per TCA amendments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2228: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates an offense for a vape shop retailer, or a distributor, wholesaler, or importer, who sells or offers for sale a vapor product for retail sale in this state to sell nitrous oxides. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7 and Title 67.

HB 2228 prohibits vape shop retailers, distributors, wholesalers, or importers from selling or offering nitrous oxide (commonly known as "laughing gas") for retail sale in Tennessee. The bill defines "vape shop" as businesses selling electronic smoking devices or vapor products and specifies that selling nitrous oxide as part of these products violates the law. Violators face escalating civil penalties: up to $500 per product for first offenses, increasing to $1,500 per product with license suspension or revocation for repeated violations within a year. Manufacturers causing nitrous oxide to be sold face $10,000 fines per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for selling nitrous oxide, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2379: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Reckless Bullet Prevention Act," which creates an offense of recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in close proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place where other people are or may be present; punishes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor; specifies certain exceptions to the offense; requires handgun safety courses for enhanced handgun carry permits to instruct on the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 2379, the "Reckless Bullet Prevention Act," makes it a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly fire a gun into the air, ground, water, or nearby objects where people might be present. It directly affects individuals who discharge firearms in public or crowded areas, with specific exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, hunters, and self-defense situations. The bill requires all state-approved handgun safety courses to include instruction on this offense starting July 1, 2026. It does not apply to activities like hunting during open seasons, shooting at licensed ranges, or defensive use against animal attacks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new offense for reckless firearm discharge, expanding criminalization (Class A misdemeanor), without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2169: Public Defenders - As introduced, creates five additional social worker positions in the public defender system. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4.

SB 2169 creates five new social worker positions within Tennessee's public defender offices, effective July 1, 2026. These positions will directly support public defender systems statewide by adding social work resources to assist clients, particularly those with mental health or social service needs. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 14, and Title 9, Chapter 4, to formalize these staffing changes without altering legal procedures or case outcomes. It focuses solely on expanding support staff capacity within existing public defense services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds social worker positions to public defender system to assist clients with mental health/social needs, enhancing defendant support and rehabilitation resources within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds social workers to address mental health needs within public defender system, directly supporting mental health services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HJR 847: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Affirms the importance of religious liberty protections for incarcerated individuals under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) and recognizes the contributions of Prison Fellowship. -

HJR 847 is a symbolic resolution affirming Tennessee's support for religious liberty protections for incarcerated individuals under the federal RLUIPA law. It recognizes Prison Fellowship's 50-year work in supporting faith-based rehabilitation programs in prisons, including its "Prison Fellowship Grow" program at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center. The resolution encourages Tennessee correctional agencies to maintain policies aligned with RLUIPA, which ensures incarcerated people can practice their religion without unnecessary restrictions, and commends Prison Fellowship's role in reducing recidivism through faith-based initiatives. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAffirms religious liberty protections for incarcerated individuals under RLUIPA, supports Prison Fellowship's faith-based rehabilitation programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to improve rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2144: Courts, Administrative Office of the - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Court Appearance Reminder Program Act." - Amends TCA Title 16 and Title 40.

HB 2144 establishes Tennessee's "Court Appearance Reminder Program Act," creating a statewide system to send automated reminders to defendants about upcoming court dates in criminal and traffic cases where they are not in custody. The program, administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts, automatically enrolls defendants who provide contact information (text as default) and sends at least three reminders before each court appearance, including one the day prior, with clear details on date, time, location, and consequences of missing. It is free for defendants, offers multilingual options, and includes virtual appearance links when applicable, while prohibiting the use of contact information for criminal investigations or bail decisions. The bill aims to reduce missed court appearances, lower unnecessary arrests and jail admissions, and improve judicial efficiency by addressing logistical barriers rather than altering penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomated court reminders reduce missed appearances, preventing unnecessary warrants/incarceration and aligning with reform goals to improve court efficiency and defendant compliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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