Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 243: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

SB 243 creates a Class E felony for altering, defacing, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or distinguishing mark, or for selling, purchasing, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle firearms with altered markings. The bill imposes a mandatory minimum 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no possibility of early release. This law amends Tennessee Code sections covering criminal offenses related to firearms and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 180-day sentence for firearm serial number alteration, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per Criminal Justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 527: Probation and Parole - As introduced, removes the limitations on the board of parole's authority to deny parole based solely on the seriousness of the offense for certain offenses to allow denial based on the seriousness of the offense for any offense. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35, Part 5.

HB 527 modifies Tennessee's parole laws by removing a restriction that previously prevented parole boards from denying parole solely based on an offense's seriousness for certain crimes. The bill amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35, Part 5 to allow parole boards to deny release for *any* offense if they determine it would "depreciate the seriousness of the crime" or "promote disrespect for the law." This change directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking parole, as it expands the criteria parole boards can use to deny release. The bill does not alter sentencing or create new penalties but shifts the parole decision-making standard.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands parole denial grounds to any offense based on 'seriousness,' restricting defendant rights and making parole harder to obtain, directly opposing criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 959: Sentencing - As introduced, permits a person who is serving a sentence of incarceration of eight years or more for an offense committed prior to January 1, 2026, and who is a victim of domestic abuse subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the same family or household as the person to submit to the sentencing court, a request to apply for resentencing. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 959 allows individuals serving 8+ years in prison for crimes committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) inflicted by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit court records, police reports, or other verified evidence proving their abuse history and current sentence eligibility. Courts will review prison program participation (like domestic violence counseling) and abuse history but cannot reconsider the original conviction. If approved, the court may reduce the sentence while crediting time already served.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows resentencing for domestic abuse victims serving long sentences, reducing harsh penalties and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to address trauma-driven offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 45: Sentencing - As introduced, adds as an enhancement factor to be used in determining the sentence within the permissible range for a criminal offense that the defendant is an adult and committed the offense with a minor, regardless of whether the minor was convicted of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 45 would add a new sentencing factor for judges in Tennessee: when sentencing an adult who committed a criminal offense with a minor, judges must consider this fact as an enhancement within the existing sentencing range. This applies regardless of whether the minor was convicted of the offense. The bill amends Tennessee law (Title 39 and Title 40) to require this consideration for all relevant criminal cases. The change would affect adult defendants in cases involving minors, making it a factor judges must weigh during sentencing decisions, but it does not alter the maximum or minimum sentences. The law would take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds sentencing enhancement for adults involving minors, increasing penalties - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 588: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class E felony for altering or defacing a permanent distinguishing number on a firearm and selling, purchasing, or possessing such a firearm with a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 and Title 40.

HB 588 creates a new Class E felony for altering, covering, defacing, destroying, or removing a firearm's permanent serial number or other distinguishing mark, or for selling, buying, or possessing such a modified firearm. It directly affects individuals who tamper with firearm identification or handle altered guns. The bill imposes a mandatory 180-day prison sentence for violations, with no eligibility for early release. If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2025, and amend Tennessee’s criminal code sections related to firearms and offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates mandatory 180-day sentence for firearm serial number tampering, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Jan 15, 2025

HB 74: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, establishes mandatory minimum penalties of 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine for a person convicted of knowingly selling or distributing a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21 years of age. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 43, Chapter 27 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

HB 74 would have imposed mandatory penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products (like CBD) to anyone under 21. Specifically, it would require a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and a $500 fine for sellers convicted of this offense. The bill aimed to amend Tennessee law to cover these sales under existing criminal statutes. However, the bill was introduced on January 14, 2025, but withdrawn the next day and not advanced further. It is no longer active legislation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimum penalties (48h jail/$500 fine) for selling hemp products to minors, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing - direct OPPOSE indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 720: Sentencing - As introduced, reduces the percentage of sentence that a person convicted of first degree murder on or after July 1, 1995, and sentenced to life imprisonment is required to serve before becoming eligible for release from 100 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained to 60 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained; prohibits a defendant becoming eligible for parole before serving 25 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 25 years of age or younger at the time of the offense, or 30 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 26 years of age or older at the time of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 2 and Title 40.

HB 720 changes sentencing rules for people convicted of first-degree murder after July 1, 1995, who receive life sentences. It reduces the required service time before eligibility for parole from 100% of 60 years (minus sentence credits) to 60% of 60 years (minus credits), while setting a minimum service period: 25 years if the offender was 25 or younger at the crime, or 30 years if 26 or older. This directly affects individuals sentenced to life imprisonment for first-degree murder under these conditions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, for offenses committed on or after July 1, 1995.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces required service time for parole eligibility (from 100% to 60% of 60 years), aligning with criminal justice reform by easing sentencing for life-locked individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 456: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds the offense of robbery to the definition of crime of violence. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 456 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include robbery as a "crime of violence" within the state's criminal code. This change adds robbery to a list of offenses - including murder, rape, burglary, and aggravated assault - that are currently classified under this legal category. By doing so, the bill ensures robbery cases will be treated under the same sentencing and legal frameworks as other designated violent crimes. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2025, impacting how Tennessee courts and law enforcement handle robbery prosecutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill adds robbery to 'crime of violence' category, subjecting it to harsher sentencing. Expands criminalization and increases penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing Violent Crime

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1182: Sentencing - As introduced, requires a local community corrections advisory board to provide its annual report to the county legislative body on the progress of community corrections programs by February 1 of each year. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 1182 requires local community corrections advisory boards in Tennessee to submit an annual report to their county legislative body by February 1 each year, detailing progress on community corrections programs. This bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 8, 16, 37, 39, 40, and 41) to establish this reporting requirement. The bill directly affects community corrections advisory boards and county legislative bodies by mandating a standardized annual update on program effectiveness. It does not change sentencing laws or program content, only the reporting process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on community corrections program progress, enhancing transparency and accountability in sentencing/rehabilitation efforts per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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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

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