Criminal Justice (Corrections)

died · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 489: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, requires a defendant who is ordered to wear a transdermal monitoring device or alternative device, including other alternative alcohol or drug monitoring device, or global positioning monitoring device, as a condition of pretrial release, and who has not been determined by the court to be indigent, to pay all fees associated with the installation, monitoring, maintenance, and operation of the device. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

HB 489 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to submit an annual report by February 1st on the effectiveness of programs that divert offenders from state correctional facilities. The report must be sent to three specific legislative committees: the House committee on criminal justice, the Senate judiciary committee, and the Senate fiscal review committee. This bill amends Tennessee law to establish this reporting requirement but does not change existing diversion programs or policies. The measure focuses on creating a regular process for legislative oversight of current correctional practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual report on diversion program effectiveness to improve criminal justice reform efforts, aligning with reform indicators like reducing incarceration pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 300: Sentencing - As enacted, generally requires a person convicted of a Class A misdemeanor in general sessions court to pay for and complete a cognitive behavioral training course; requires the offender to provide proof of course completion to the court or the court’s designee within the time period specified by the court. - Amends TCA Section 40-35-302.

SB 300 requires individuals convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee general sessions court to complete a cognitive behavioral training course. Offenders must pay for the course (capped at $100), provide proof of completion to the court within a court-specified timeframe, and face up to 10 days in jail for willful failure to comply. The course must be accessible online, multilingual, include human interaction, and provide a completion certificate within 72 hours. This bill directly affects misdemeanor offenders and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires cognitive behavioral training for misdemeanants to reduce recidivism, aligns with rehabilitation-focused reform, and mandates accessible program design.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 924: District Attorneys - As introduced, adds an additional assistant district attorney general position and criminal investigator position in each judicial district that includes a state correctional facility. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16 and Title 41.

SB 924 adds 10 new assistant district attorney general positions and 10 new criminal investigator positions in Tennessee judicial districts that include state correctional facilities. These roles are specifically designated for handling criminal cases related to offenses occurring within state prisons, including violations of specific prison-related laws. The bill requires prison staff to provide full access to evidence and cooperation for these prosecutors and investigators. The positions will be funded at specified pay levels and take effect on July 1, 2025, for districts including the first, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth, twentieth, twenty-second, twenty-fifth, twenty-ninth, thirtieth, and thirty-second judicial districts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds 10 specialized prosecutors/investigators for prison crime cases, strengthening prosecution capacity within correctional facilities' criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 308: Taxes, Sales - As introduced, authorizes certain counties to levy a local option sales tax at the rate of 3.75 percent, instead of a maximum of 2.75 percent, if the revenue from the increase in such tax is used by the county exclusively for the construction of a new county jail or to retire debt, including principal and interest and related expenses, on such construction. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 6, Part 7.

HB 308 would allow counties in Tennessee with over 900,000 residents (based on the 2020 census) to raise their local sales tax rate from a maximum of 2.75% to 3.75%. The revenue from this tax increase must be used exclusively for building a new county jail or paying off debt related to jail construction, including principal, interest, and expenses. The higher tax rate would apply for up to eight years or until the jail debt is paid off, whichever comes first. If the debt is paid early, the county must notify the state within 10 days. After the eight-year period or debt payoff, the tax rate would revert to 2.75%.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes local sales tax increase (2.75% to 3.75%) to fund jail construction/debt, directly using tax revenue for specific government spending.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds jail construction exclusively, directly supporting corrections infrastructure within criminal justice without reform language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Corrections

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 36: State Inmates - As enacted, requires by July 1, 2027, and each July 1 thereafter, the commissioner of correction to deliver to the chairs of legislative committees with jurisdiction over the department a report containing data with regard to individuals who may be certified eligible for parole for being chronically debilitated or incapacitated. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 36 modifies Tennessee's parole and furlough rules for state inmates. It removes the requirement that an inmate must be "chronically debilitated or incapacitated" for the corrections commissioner to certify them as parole-eligible, expanding eligibility to inmates meeting age (55+), time served (10+ years), and non-violent offense criteria. The bill also changes furlough rules, allowing the commissioner to grant furloughs if an inmate cannot perform at least one basic daily activity in prison due to a medical condition causing debilitation or incapacity. These changes apply to inmates not convicted of violent sexual offenses or multiple murders. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-35-501 and 41-21-227.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands parole eligibility for non-violent, elderly inmates (55+, 10+ years) and allows compassionate furloughs for medical needs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

Track