Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 792: Sexual Offenses - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Sexual Violence Justice Act," making various changes to the requirements for investigating sexual offenses. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 67.

HB 792, the "Tennessee Sexual Violence Justice Act," requires law enforcement officers investigating sexual assault to complete annual trauma-informed, victim-centered training (16 hours minimum) through the POST commission, with curriculum developed in collaboration with victim advocates and healthcare providers. It mandates the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to test all previously untested sexual assault evidence kits by January 2026 (prioritizing ongoing cases) and to test new kits within 90 days of receipt starting July 2025, requiring annual reports on testing timelines. The bill directly affects law enforcement personnel, the TBI, and victims of sexual assault by standardizing investigative practices and evidence processing. Key provisions include mandatory mock assessments for training, specific interview techniques emphasizing victim safety, and DNA profiling protocols for CODIS databases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates trauma-informed officer training and testing of untested evidence kits, advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform in sexual offense investigations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SJR 3: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Establishes a definition of antisemitism and encourages departments and agencies of state government to use such definition in determining discriminatory intent for any law or policy in this state that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. -

SJR 3 is a Senate Joint Resolution defining antisemitism and urging state agencies to use this definition when assessing discrimination under Tennessee law. It provides 11 specific examples of antisemitism, including denying the Holocaust, accusing Jews of controlling institutions, or comparing Israeli policy to Nazi actions. The resolution encourages state departments, district attorneys (to seek enhanced sentences for antisemitism-motivated crimes), and schools to consider this definition when evaluating discrimination claims based on religion or national origin. It does not create new laws but serves as a policy statement for state entities. This resolution applies directly to Tennessee state government agencies, schools, and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEncourages district attorneys to seek enhanced sentences for antisemitism-motivated crimes, increasing penalties within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 235: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an employing law enforcement agency to contact any prior law enforcement agency that employed the agency's officer or special deputy as part of the thorough investigation into the person's good moral character. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8.

SB 235 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to contact an officer's previous employers as part of background checks when hiring new officers with prior law enforcement experience. This amendment to Tennessee law (TCA Title 38, Chapter 8) modifies the requirement for verifying "good moral character" by adding a specific step: agencies must reach out to prior law enforcement agencies that employed the candidate. The bill directly affects all Tennessee law enforcement agencies conducting background investigations for new hires. It makes no changes to the definition of "good moral character" but adds a procedural requirement for verifying an officer's history.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prior employer contact for officer background checks, enhancing police accountability in hiring per TCA Title 38, Chapter 8.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 580: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, makes various changes regarding global positioning monitoring and the pretrial release of certain defendants. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

HB 580 updates Tennessee's pretrial release rules for defendants using GPS monitoring. It requires counties to contract with "qualified" GPS service providers that offer 24/7 monitoring, maintain written court protocols, and notify emergency services if a defendant violates bond conditions. The bill also clarifies that victims must receive emergency contact information, limits liability for service providers, and creates a process where courts must hold hearings within 10 days if defendants fail to pay monitoring costs. This directly affects defendants on monitored pretrial release, victims, law enforcement, and GPS service providers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires 10-day court hearings for pretrial violations, enhancing oversight and defendant rights in bail process.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 478: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an annual training pay bonus supplement for eligible campus police officers and public safety officers in the amount of $800. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38 and Section 49-7-118.

SB 478 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police officers and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill also ensures officers who served in active military duty during designated conflicts (and were unable to attend training due to service) receive the bonus regardless of training completion. This applies to officers at institutions covered under Tennessee’s campus law enforcement statutes. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement training via $800 annual bonus for campus officers, strengthening officer preparedness and retention under criminal justice law enforcement policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $800 annual cash bonus for eligible campus police officers completing training, expanding their compensation benefits per Labor & Employment topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSpecifically grants $800 bonus to officers who served in military conflicts and missed training due to service, recognizing veteran contributions in law enforcement roles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 790: Law Enforcement Training Academy - As enacted, requires the peace officer standards and training commission to issue a certificate of compliance to a person appointed as a private special deputy on or after January 1, 2026, if the person meets the qualifications for employment as a police officer and satisfactorily completes an approved recruit training program; requires annual in-service training sessions to retain such certification. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 38 and Title 49.

SB 790 requires private special deputies in Tennessee (appointed on or after January 1, 2026) to obtain a certificate of compliance from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. To qualify, they must meet standard police officer requirements and complete an approved recruit training program. The bill also mandates annual in-service training sessions to maintain this certification. This law amends Tennessee Code to establish these training and certification standards for private special deputies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training and certification standards for private deputies, enhancing law enforcement accountability and professional standards per TCA amendments.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1116: Treasurer, State - As introduced, creates within the state treasury a fund known as the crime stoppers trust fund to be used for the purpose of grant administration to fund crime stoppers programs within the state; requires an additional fine of $10 to be imposed on offenders convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense to be deposited in the crime stoppers trust fund. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 67.

HB 1116 creates a "crime stoppers trust fund" in Tennessee's state treasury by requiring a $10 additional fine on individuals convicted of felony or misdemeanor offenses. Courts collect this fine (keeping $3 per fine as a service charge) and send the remaining $7 monthly to the fund, which supports local crime stoppers programs. The fund provides grants to eligible 501(c)(3) crime stoppers organizations for public awareness, rewards for tips leading to arrests or recoveries (e.g., stolen property, weapons), and limited administrative costs (capped at 25% of grant funds). Funds are distributed based on where fines were collected, with one grant per county to support programs that aid law enforcement through public tip reporting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new $10 fine revenue stream to fund crime stoppers grants, directly advancing public safety program funding under state budget.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates crime stoppers trust fund via $10 fines to fund public awareness and tip rewards programs, directly supporting community crime prevention initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1204: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, revises present law concerning driving under the influence. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

HB 1204 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws. It allows law enforcement officers to assist qualified medical practitioners in using reasonable force to obtain blood samples from drivers suspected of DUI, and increases the maximum sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. The blood sample provision takes effect immediately upon enactment, while the sentencing change will take effect on July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects drivers charged with DUI in Tennessee by altering evidence collection procedures and penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases first-time DUI sentence max from 1 year to 18 months, expanding criminalization and harsher penalties per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 1210: Law Enforcement - As enacted, requires a prosecuting agency that maintains a Brady list to adopt a policy that meets certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8.

SB 1210 requires state or local law enforcement officers in Tennessee to receive written notice detailing the specific allegations before being placed on a "Brady list" (a list tracking officers with misconduct allegations), and mandates at least 10 business days for the officer to respond before the placement is finalized. This bill directly affects law enforcement officers who might face placement on such a list due to misconduct allegations. The key mechanism is the procedural safeguard of prior written notice and a response period, amending Tennessee Code Annotated Title 38, Chapter 8. The bill focuses on due process for officers during the listing process, without changing the criteria for listing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill weakens law enforcement oversight by requiring notice and response time before placing officers on Brady list, reducing swift accountability for misconduct allegations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 533: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As enacted, requires, if a prisoner is released for paid employment, the cost of the electronic monitoring device to be deducted from the prisoner's wages by the sheriff and paid directly to the electronic monitoring device provider by the county or state, as applicable; requires, if a prisoner is released for unpaid work, the entity utilizing the prisoner for work to pay the costs of the electronic monitoring device. - Amends TCA Title 41.

SB 533 changes who pays for electronic monitoring devices when prisoners are released for work in Tennessee. For unpaid work release, the organization employing the prisoner must cover the monitoring costs. For paid employment, the prisoner’s wages must be used to pay for the device, with the sheriff deducting the cost and paying the provider directly. This applies to county or state facilities under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 41, effective July 1, 2025. The bill removes a prior 2024 start date but otherwise modifies existing work release rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies cost responsibility for electronic monitoring in work release, preventing financial burden on prisoners/employers and supporting rehabilitation programs aligned with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement