Criminal Justice (Courts)

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2468: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes revisions to law relative to offenses occurring at a house of worship. - Amends TCA Title 29 and Title 39.

SB 2468 requires Tennessee courts to impose a mandatory fine equal to at least twice the cost of property damage or restoration when vandalism occurs at a house of worship (like a church, synagogue, or mosque). This applies specifically to sentencing for vandalism offenses committed at these locations, directly affecting both the convicted individual and the affected house of worship. The bill amends Tennessee criminal code to add this penalty as part of the sentence, overriding standard sentencing guidelines for such cases. It takes effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates doubled fines for vandalism at houses of worship, increasing sentencing severity per TCA amendments, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 2465: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, prohibits a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for conduct that, if committed by an adult, would constitute the offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence from purchasing or possessing a firearm until the juvenile reaches 25; prohibits a person appropriately licensed by the federal government from selling a firearm to a person who is ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to any court order or under any law of this state; increases penalties for sexual exploitation of a minor offenses. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.

SB 2465 prohibits juveniles adjudicated delinquent for threatening mass violence (as defined in existing Tennessee law) from purchasing or possessing firearms until age 25. It also requires federally licensed firearm dealers to verify a buyer’s eligibility under state law or court orders before selling. The bill significantly increases penalties for sexual exploitation of minors by raising felony classifications based on the quantity of materials involved (e.g., 50+ images become a Class B felony, 100+ become Class A). These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 37-1-190, 39-17-1307, 39-17-1316, 39-17-1351, 39-17-1352, and sections related to sexual exploitation offenses (39-17-1003 to 39-17-1005). The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for sexual exploitation offenses and restricts juvenile firearm access, aligning with tough-on-crime measures rather than reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2467: Probation and Parole - As introduced, permits a trial judge to revoke a defendant's probation for a felony or misdemeanor based on one instance of technical violation; extends the permitted terms of incarceration a court may impose for a technical violation to 90 days for a first revocation, 180 days for a second revocation, and the remainder of the sentence for a third or subsequent revocation. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 2467 changes Tennessee's probation revocation rules for technical violations (like missing meetings or failing drug tests, not new crimes). It allows judges to revoke probation after just one technical violation and sets specific incarceration limits: up to 90 days for a first revocation, 180 days for a second, and the full remaining sentence for third or more revocations. The bill requires judges to use a "preponderance of evidence" standard (not beyond reasonable doubt) for these decisions. This directly affects individuals on probation for felony or misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee who breach non-criminal probation terms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases probation revocations for minor technical violations with lower evidence standard, extending incarceration terms - restricts defendant rights and moves away from rehabilitation-focused reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · House May 26, 2026

HB 2374: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, removes the requirement to place a defendant on a state or federal list or database as a fugitive from justice for failure to appear, unless it is on a felony; authorizes a court to relieve the surety of liability for an undertaking if the defendant has not been placed on the available state or federal list or database within five business days of the entering agency's receipt of the bench warrant or capias. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2374 changes Tennessee court procedures for handling bench warrants when defendants fail to appear. It removes the requirement for courts to enter certain misdemeanor (violent/sexual) or non-violent felony bench warrants into state/federal databases, extends the time for entering felony warrants from 3 to 10 business days, and makes it optional for courts to relieve bail bond sureties of liability if warrants aren't entered within that timeframe. The bill directly affects courts, bail bond companies, and defendants who skip court appearances. These changes modify administrative processes but do not alter criminal definitions or penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory database entries for non-violent cases, extends enforcement timelines, and reduces court oversight of bench warrants, weakening accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2309: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes revisions to law relative to offenses occurring at a house of worship. - Amends TCA Title 29 and Title 39.

HB 2309 requires courts to impose a fine of at least twice the actual property damage or restoration costs when vandalism occurs at a house of worship, in addition to any other sentence. This applies specifically to offenses committed at religious buildings, directly affecting houses of worship that suffer damage and the courts sentencing offenders. The law amends Tennessee sentencing guidelines (TCA Title 39) to mandate this automatic double-fine calculation based on verified costs, overriding standard sentencing discretion for these cases. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates doubled fines for vandalism at houses of worship, increasing penalties under sentencing guidelines, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2161: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, removes the requirement to place a defendant on a state or federal list or database as a fugitive from justice for failure to appear, unless it is on a felony; authorizes a court to relieve the surety of liability for an undertaking if the defendant has not been placed on the available state or federal list or database within five business days of the entering agency's receipt of the bench warrant or capias. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 2161 changes Tennessee's bail procedures for defendants who miss court appearances. It removes the requirement for courts to enter bench warrants into state/federal databases for misdemeanor failures involving violence or sex, or for non-violent/non-sexual felonies. The bill extends the deadline for entering felony failure-to-appear warrants from 3 to 10 business days and allows courts to optionally relieve bail bond sureties of liability if the defendant isn't listed in databases within that timeframe. These changes directly affect courts (in their database entry duties), defendants (in fugitive status), and bail bond sureties (in liability relief options).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory database entries for failure-to-appear warrants and extends deadlines, weakening oversight of defendant tracking in criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2296: Bail, Bail Bonds - As introduced, requires a court or magistrate to impose global positioning monitoring as a condition of release for a defendant accused of certain offenses, unless the court or magistrate enters written findings that the defendant does not pose a threat to the victim or public safety; requires the administrative office of the courts to compile an annual report of the number of defendants subject to such an order. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

HB 2296 would require Tennessee courts to impose GPS monitoring as a condition of release for defendants charged with specific offenses, including domestic assault, vehicle burglaries, and offenses involving firearms or violence, unless the court makes a written finding that the defendant does not pose a threat to victims or public safety. Courts must report monthly to the administrative office of the courts on the number of defendants under GPS monitoring, and this office would compile an annual report for the legislature. The bill applies to cases such as domestic assault (under § 39-13-111), vehicle burglaries (§ 39-13-1002), reckless driving (§ 55-10-205), and repeat offenses. This policy adds GPS monitoring as a standard requirement for these offenses, with a safeguard to avoid unnecessary monitoring.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires GPS monitoring for specific offenses, restricting defendant freedom as a bail condition per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · House May 26, 2026

HB 2369: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, revises present law that authorizes the attorney general to bring an action to enforce compliance with the Tennessee Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act or intervene as a matter of right in a case in which the constitutionality of such act is challenged. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2369 increases the monthly supervision fee for defendants under court supervision from $10 to $15. It also requires municipalities to pay autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state covers them. Additionally, the bill reclassifies illegal possession of communication devices in prisons as a Class E felony (previously a fine-only offense). These changes directly affect defendants paying fees, municipalities managing autopsy costs, and inmates facing new felony charges for prison device violations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases defendant supervision fees and reclassifies prison communication device possession as a felony (previously fine-only), increasing penalties and financial burdens. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Drug Policy

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2526: Children's Services, Dept. of - As enacted, requires a child placed in the custody of the department to remain in custody so long as necessary to complete treatment or services, which must be evidence-based and provided by a qualified provider; makes other changes to child custody law; creates a juvenile commitment review task force to examine system issues and service gaps for certain children committed to the custody of the department. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 1.

HB 2526 creates a new legal category called "child in need of heightened supervision" for children who exhibit violent behavior (including offenses like assault) without requiring formal charges or adjudication. It directly affects children in Tennessee's juvenile justice system who display violent tendencies, expanding the criteria for detention and shelter care. Key provisions include adding this category to court procedures, requiring longer supervision periods (up to six months) after a child assaults staff at residential facilities, and updating legal language to include this new category alongside "delinquent" or "unruly" designations. The bill aims to address safety concerns in residential placements while modifying existing legal processes for child commitment and detention.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile detention without formal charges for violent behavior, increasing criminalization and reducing due process in juvenile justice, opposing reform90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2253: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, prohibits a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for conduct that, if committed by an adult, would constitute the offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence from purchasing or possessing a firearm until the juvenile reaches 25; prohibits a person appropriately licensed by the federal government from selling a firearm to a person who is ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to any court order or under any law of this state; increases penalties for sexual exploitation of a minor offenses. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.

HB 2253 prohibits juveniles adjudicated delinquent for conduct that would be "threatening to commit an act of mass violence" if committed by an adult from purchasing or possessing firearms until age 25. It also requires federally licensed firearm sellers to verify buyers are not prohibited under court orders or state law. The bill increases penalties for sexual exploitation of minors by raising felony classifications: possession of 50+ images becomes a Class B felony (100+ is Class A), and distribution of 25+ images becomes a Class A felony. These changes amend Tennessee’s criminal code in Titles 37 and 39, effective July 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for sexual exploitation of minors by raising felony classifications, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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