Criminal Justice (Corrections)

died · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 322: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the offense of human smuggling; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 322 creates a new criminal offense of "human smuggling" under Tennessee law, directly affecting individuals who transport people across borders for financial gain while concealing them from authorities. The bill defines human smuggling as transporting 10+ adults or 5+ minors (knowing they entered the U.S. illegally) to avoid detection by law enforcement, or encouraging such entry. It classifies this as a Class E felony, punishable by up to 6 years in prison, and adds misdemeanor penalties for harboring individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. The law also grants the state attorney general authority to seek court orders dissolving organizations involved in trafficking or smuggling.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for human smuggling, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Human Trafficking

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 215: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, 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; prohibits a retailer from knowingly allowing an employee younger than 21 to access, handle, or sell any product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid on the premises of the retail establishment. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 43, Chapter 27 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

SB 215 establishes new penalties for selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products to people under 21 in Tennessee. It requires a minimum 48-hour jail sentence and $500 fine for anyone convicted of knowingly selling such products to minors. The law also prohibits retailers from allowing employees under 21 to access, handle, or sell these products on store premises. These provisions amend Tennessee Code sections governing retail sales and criminal penalties, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 48-hour jail term and $500 fine for selling hemp products to minors, increasing criminal penalties per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 577: State Inmates - As enacted, increases the accreditation stipend provided to eligible counties for each convicted felon housed by the county. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 29; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 577 increases the state-funded stipend that eligible counties receive for housing each convicted felon in county facilities. This change directly affects counties operating correctional facilities, providing them with additional state funding per inmate. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (TCA Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to adjust the stipend amount. It was signed into law in May 2025 and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases state funding for county correctional facilities housing inmates, directly supporting corrections infrastructure within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 175: 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.

SB 175 changes Tennessee's parole and furlough rules for inmates with serious medical conditions. It removes the requirement that an inmate must be "chronically debilitated" to be certified for parole, and expands eligibility for furloughs when an inmate cannot perform basic daily tasks in prison due to a medical condition. The bill affects inmates with health issues that limit their ability to manage daily activities in a correctional setting. These changes update Tennessee Code Sections 40-35-501 (parole eligibility) and 41-21-227 (furlough criteria), but the bill remains pending in the Senate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves medical barrier for parole/furloughs, enabling compassionate release for inmates with chronic conditions - advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jun 4, 2025

SB 186: State Inmates - As enacted, increases the accreditation stipend provided to eligible counties for each convicted felon housed by the county. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 29; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 186 increases state payments to counties for housing convicted felons by raising the accreditation stipend per inmate. This directly affects counties that operate local jails or hold inmates under state supervision. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (including Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to implement this payment increase. The change became law on June 4, 2025, after passing through legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases state funding to counties for housing inmates via higher accreditation stipends, directly supporting correctional system operations and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 447: Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, requires the department of correction, in consultation with the inmate disciplinary oversight board, to compose a report detailing the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits, and to submit the report to legislative committees. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 447 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to create an annual report tracking how many inmates earned sentence reduction credits (which shorten prison time). The report must detail these numbers and be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the relevant House committee on criminal sentencing. This bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 3, 4, 40, and 41) to establish this reporting requirement. The change directly affects state corrections officials and provides lawmakers with data on sentence credit usage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual reporting on inmate sentence reduction credits to improve transparency and oversight of rehabilitation-focused sentencing practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 261: Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, requires the department of correction, in consultation with the inmate disciplinary oversight board, to compose a report detailing the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits, and to submit the report to legislative committees. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 261 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction, in collaboration with the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board, to create an annual report tracking the number of inmates who earned sentence reduction credits under state law. The report must detail these credits and be submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the relevant House committee. This bill directly affects the Department of Correction and the oversight board by mandating transparency about how sentence credits are applied to inmates. It does not change sentencing laws but adds a reporting requirement to improve legislative oversight of correctional practices. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 41-21-236 and related titles to implement this reporting obligation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates transparency in sentence credit application, supporting accountability in criminal justice reform through data-driven oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 94: State Inmates - As introduced, requires the state to pay for autopsies of deceased inmates and for any transportation associated with the autopsy. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 7; Title 41, Chapter 21 and Title 68, Chapter 4.

HB 94 requires the state to cover the cost of autopsies for deceased inmates and any necessary transportation related to those autopsies. This bill directly affects Tennessee's correctional facilities and the state government, which would now be responsible for these expenses. The key provision amends Tennessee law to mandate state funding for autopsy examinations (as specified in TCA 41-21-221) and associated transport. The bill does not change inmate rights or procedures but shifts the financial responsibility from local entities to the state. It is currently pending in the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funding for inmate autopsies and transportation, increasing government expenditure per TCA amendments.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates state funding for inmate autopsies and transportation, reducing financial burden on families and improving correctional transparency per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 34: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly giving, selling, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring a firearm to a person when the transferor knows or reasonably should know that the person receiving the firearm is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 34 creates a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly transferring a firearm to someone prohibited from owning one under state or federal law, directly affecting individuals who sell, lend, or give firearms to such persons. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 39-17-1316 to prohibit giving, selling, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring firearms when the transferor knows or should reasonably know the recipient is prohibited. Violations carry penalties of up to 11 months in jail and/or fines. The law applies to all firearm transfers occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class A misdemeanor for illegal firearm transfers to prohibited persons, strengthening enforcement against firearm crimes under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1363: 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.

HB 1363 allows individuals serving eight or more years in prison for a crime committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit documentation proving their sentence length, the crime's date, and the abuse, including two types of evidence (one from court records, police reports, or similar sources). If approved, the court may reduce their sentence, considering their prison behavior and participation in treatment programs, but not the original conviction. Requests can only be made starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows resentencing for domestic abuse victims to correct unjust sentences, promoting reform and protecting vulnerable individuals within sentencing framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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