Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

died · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 907: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, creates a law enforcement investigatory privilege; prohibits a subpoena from being issued for a civil or criminal proceeding for information protected by the law enforcement privilege. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 1, Part 2 and Title 40, Chapter 17, Part 1.

This bill creates a new law enforcement investigatory privilege in Tennessee that protects information gathered during open criminal investigations and prosecutions from being subpoenaed in civil or criminal cases. The privilege applies to information covered under Rule 16 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure and remains in effect until an investigation is closed by the district attorney general, a defendant is acquitted, or a conviction becomes final. Law enforcement officials can still issue subpoenas for their own investigative purposes, but the district attorney general may file motions to stop or change subpoenas that seek protected information. The legislation clarifies that this privilege does not override a criminal defendant's constitutional rights or change existing procedures for law enforcement subpoenas.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates law enforcement privilege that restricts subpoena access to investigation information, limiting transparency and defendant rights in criminal proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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died · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2428: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for assaulting a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $5,000 and a mandatory minimum of 30 days incarceration to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum of 60 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2428 raises the penalty for assaulting a first responder (including law enforcement officers) in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. The bill mandates a $10,000 fine and a minimum 60-day jail sentence for such offenses, with no early release during the mandatory period. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 (criminal law) and Title 40 (criminal justice), effective July 1, 2026. This change directly affects individuals convicted of assaulting first responders by increasing the severity of penalties for these crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory penalties for assaulting first responders, raising offense to felony with higher fines and longer mandatory jail time, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2101: Drugs, Over the Counter - As enacted, increases the amount of products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine a person may purchase in a one-year period from 43.2 grams to 61.2 grams; changes references to the "National Precursor Log Exchange" to the "electronic sales tracking system"; requires any manufacturer of an ephedrine or pseudoephedrine product that is sold in or into this state to, on a monthly basis, pay fees to the administrator of the electronic sales tracking system. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.

HB 2101 increases the annual purchase limit for over-the-counter ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products from 43.2 grams to 61.2 grams per person. It updates tracking system references from "NPLEx" to "electronic sales tracking system" and requires manufacturers of these products sold in Tennessee to pay monthly fees to the system administrator starting January 1, 2027. Pharmacies must use the electronic system to record sales, generate stop-sale alerts for individuals on the methamphetamine registry, and prevent prohibited sales, with the system designed to be free for pharmacies and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases annual purchase limit for meth precursors (43.2g→61.2g), weakening restrictions on chemicals used in meth production, directly opposing criminal justice reform efforts to reduce meth trafficking.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2379: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Reckless Bullet Prevention Act," which creates an offense of recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in close proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place where other people are or may be present; punishes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor; specifies certain exceptions to the offense; requires handgun safety courses for enhanced handgun carry permits to instruct on the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 2379, the "Reckless Bullet Prevention Act," makes it a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly fire a gun into the air, ground, water, or nearby objects where people might be present. It directly affects individuals who discharge firearms in public or crowded areas, with specific exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, hunters, and self-defense situations. The bill requires all state-approved handgun safety courses to include instruction on this offense starting July 1, 2026. It does not apply to activities like hunting during open seasons, shooting at licensed ranges, or defensive use against animal attacks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new offense for reckless firearm discharge, expanding criminalization (Class A misdemeanor), without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 2178: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for patronizing prostitution from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B or Class A felony under certain circumstances that are currently punished as trafficking for a commercial sex act. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

SB 2178 increases penalties for buying sex (patronizing prostitution) in specific situations. It upgrades the offense to a Class B felony if the person bought sex from a law enforcement officer posing as a minor or someone with an intellectual disability, and to a Class A felony if the person was a minor under 18. The bill also adds a minimum 7-day jail term and $1,000 fine for buying sex within 1.5 miles of a school. These changes directly affect individuals who engage in buying sex from vulnerable groups or near schools, raising penalties from misdemeanor to felony levels.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for patronizing prostitution to felony levels, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2388: 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.

SB 2388 changes three key aspects of Tennessee's criminal justice system. It raises the monthly fee defendants must pay toward supervision costs from $10 to $15 (affecting individuals under community supervision). It also changes penalties for illegally possessing a telecommunication device in prison, making it a full Class E felony (not limited to fines). Finally, it requires municipalities to cover autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state pays instead (directly affecting local government budgets). These changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases defendant supervision fees, toughens prison device penalties to full felony, and shifts autopsy costs - restrictive measures opposing reform efforts95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2575: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Reckless Bullet Prevention Act," which creates an offense of recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, a body of water, or an object in close proximity to the person if the firearm is discharged at a place where other people are or may be present; punishes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor; specifies certain exceptions to the offense; requires handgun safety courses for enhanced handgun carry permits to instruct on the offense. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 2575, known as the "Reckless Bullet Prevention Act," makes it a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly discharge a firearm into the air, ground, water, or nearby objects when people are present. It directly affects anyone who discharges a firearm carelessly in public or populated areas, with specific exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, hunters, and self-defense scenarios. The bill requires all handgun safety courses to include instruction on this new offense starting July 1, 2026, and applies to actions occurring on or after that date. Key exceptions cover official duties, wildlife control, and defense against animal attacks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor offense for reckless firearm discharge in populated areas, expanding criminalization of public firearm use without reform focus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1787: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for patronizing prostitution from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B or Class A felony under certain circumstances that are currently punished as trafficking for a commercial sex act. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

HB 1787 (Criminal Offenses) increases penalties for patronizing prostitution when the victim is in specific vulnerable categories. It raises the offense to a Class B felony if the victim is a law enforcement officer posing as a minor or a person with an intellectual disability, and to a Class A felony if the victim is under 18. The bill also mandates at least 7 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for patronizing prostitution within 1.5 miles of a school. These changes apply to cases currently treated as trafficking for commercial sex acts under Tennessee law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for patronizing prostitution to felony levels in specific cases, expanding criminalization and mandating jail time/fines, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1706: Immigration - As enacted, creates certain offenses for a person who is unlawfully present in the United States to operate a commercial motor vehicle in this state and a direct employer of such person; requires the law enforcement agency of an officer who arrests a person who is unlawfully present in the United States to operate a commercial motor vehicle in this state to ensure that federal immigration authorities are notified; creates related civil actions for persons injured by an unlawfully present person's operation of a commercial motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50.

HB 1706 would make it a serious misdemeanor for someone without legal immigration status to operate a commercial motor vehicle in Tennessee. It also requires law enforcement to notify federal immigration authorities when arresting such individuals and holds employers strictly liable for injuries caused by undocumented drivers operating commercial vehicles. The bill creates civil penalties of at least $1 million for employers or state officials who knowingly allow or issue licenses to undocumented drivers, and allows private citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the state (known as "qui tam" actions). This bill directly affects undocumented immigrants working in commercial driving, employers, and state licensing officials, with no provisions for enforcement or implementation details yet.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates Class A misdemeanor for undocumented commercial driving, expanding criminalization per bill's explicit language on penalties and enforcement.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts undocumented immigrants from operating commercial vehicles, mandates law enforcement to notify federal immigration authorities, and imposes civil penalties on employers. This increases state enforcement and limits immigrant access t...95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts employment opportunities for undocumented workers and imposes strict liability on employers, limiting labor mobility and increasing employer risk.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1698: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony if the offense occurs while the defendant is committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1698 increases the penalty for impersonating a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony when the impersonation occurs during the commission or attempt of a crime of violence. This change directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers while committing or attempting violent crimes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-16-301, to establish this higher penalty level. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalty severity from misdemeanor to felony for impersonating officers during violent crimes, expanding criminalization and raising sentencing levels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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