Criminal Justice (Corrections)

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 903: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, requires, subject to certain exemptions, that a sale or transfer of a firearm be done through a federally licensed gun dealer; creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for sales or transfers that are not conducted through a gun dealer. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 54; Title 38, Chapter 3, Part 1 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

This bill would require most firearm sales and transfers in Tennessee to be conducted through a federally licensed gun dealer, with specific exceptions for private sales between family members, transfers to law enforcement, and sales of antique firearms. The law creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for individuals who sell or transfer firearms outside of these approved channels, punishable by fines up to $10,000 and up to nine months in jail. Additionally, anyone convicted of violating this provision would be prohibited from possessing firearms for two years. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, if it were to become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement oversight by requiring licensed dealers for firearm sales, reducing illegal transfers and enhancing public safety through stricter regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2170: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, requires the monthly report of the warden of a county workhouse for each prisoner placed under a work release program to be filed with the judge by whom the prisoner was sentenced on or before the fifteenth day of the month immediately following the reporting period. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2170 requires county workhouse wardens to submit monthly reports to the sentencing judge about prisoners in work release programs. The reports, due by the 15th of each month, must detail each prisoner's conduct and financial achievements during the previous month. This bill directly affects county workhouses, wardens, and judges who oversee criminal sentences, updating Tennessee law (TCA Titles 5, 40, and 41) to mandate this judicial reporting. The key provision shifts reporting responsibility from previous entities to the sentencing judge, enhancing direct oversight of work release participants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting on work release participants' conduct/financial achievements to oversee rehabilitation progress, aligning with improving rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Judges Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2373: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, specifies that a jailer's authorization to evaluate a person confined in the county jail for purposes of the person's care includes evaluating the person's need for medical attention. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8, Chapter 8; Title 29; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2373 amends Tennessee law to explicitly require county jailers to assess inmates' need for medical attention as part of their routine evaluations. This directly affects jailers and all individuals confined in county jails, ensuring medical needs are formally considered during care and classification. The key change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-4-103(b) to add "medical attention" to the list of purposes for which jailers may evaluate confined persons. The bill does not create new funding or penalties but clarifies existing authority to improve medical oversight in local detention facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires jailers to formally assess medical needs for inmates, improving correctional care standards and aligning with criminal justice reform principles focused on humane treatment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates jailers to formally evaluate inmates' medical needs, ensuring healthcare access in correctional facilities per TCA §41-4-103(b).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2229: Sentencing - As introduced, establishes parole criteria for certain persons convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life; specifies that if a person is convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life, then the sentence must automatically expire after the person has served 40 years. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

HB 2229 establishes a parole pathway for individuals convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment between 1995 and 2020, directly affecting roughly 1,300 Tennessee inmates currently serving life terms. The bill allows parole eligibility after 25 years if inmates meet specific criteria: avoiding violent misconduct for 10 consecutive years (saving 10 years), avoiding drug violations for 10 years (saving 10 years), earning a college degree (saving 10 years), or completing five mandated correctional programs (saving 5 years). If parole isn’t granted, life sentences automatically expire after 40 years of incarceration. The law applies retroactively to eligible inmates as of July 2026, with parole decisions mandatory upon meeting all requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes parole pathway after 25 years for life-sentence inmates meeting rehabilitation criteria (e.g., college degree, no misconduct), reducing long-term incarceration and promoting reform through structured rehabilitation pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2430: Welfare - As introduced, requires the commissioner of human services to provide to the commissioner of correction an application for food assistance to be used by inmates in state correctional institutions prior to release; requires the application to contain an option for the inmate to indicate a denial to apply for food assistance and reasons for doing so; requires the commissioner of correction to supply the application to each inmate prior to release; requires reports to the general assembly on certain data collected from the applications and on the number of inmates leaving incarceration who are approved for food assistance. - Amends TCA Title 41 and Title 71.

HB 2430 requires Tennessee state correctional facilities to provide inmates preparing for release with a food assistance application form from the human services agency. The application must include an option for inmates to decline assistance, specify reasons for declining (with anonymous submission allowed), and be collected by correctional staff before release. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature starting in 2027, tracking the number of completed applications, declines with reasons, and approval rates for food assistance. This policy change directly affects incarcerated individuals transitioning to community life and requires state agencies to implement standardized application and reporting procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides post-release food assistance access to reduce reentry barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2343: Sentencing - As introduced, establishes parole criteria for certain persons convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life; specifies that if a person is convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life, then the sentence must automatically expire after the person has served 40 years. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 35.

SB 2343 changes parole rules for individuals convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 2020. It establishes a minimum 25-year sentence before parole eligibility, with up to 35 years reduced through specific criteria: 10 years for 10 years without violent misconduct, 10 years for 10 years drug-free, 10 years for completing an accredited degree, and 5 years for finishing required correctional programs. If parole criteria aren't met, the sentence automatically expires after 40 years of incarceration. The bill applies retroactively to eligible inmates already serving life sentences as of July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes rehabilitation incentives (education, drug-free, programs) for parole eligibility, reducing mandatory life sentences. Aligns with reform goals of reducing recidivism through rehabilitation-focused sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HJR 847: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Affirms the importance of religious liberty protections for incarcerated individuals under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) and recognizes the contributions of Prison Fellowship. -

HJR 847 is a symbolic resolution affirming Tennessee's support for religious liberty protections for incarcerated individuals under the federal RLUIPA law. It recognizes Prison Fellowship's 50-year work in supporting faith-based rehabilitation programs in prisons, including its "Prison Fellowship Grow" program at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center. The resolution encourages Tennessee correctional agencies to maintain policies aligned with RLUIPA, which ensures incarcerated people can practice their religion without unnecessary restrictions, and commends Prison Fellowship's role in reducing recidivism through faith-based initiatives. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAffirms religious liberty protections for incarcerated individuals under RLUIPA, supports Prison Fellowship's faith-based rehabilitation programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to improve rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2144: Courts, Administrative Office of the - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Court Appearance Reminder Program Act." - Amends TCA Title 16 and Title 40.

HB 2144 establishes Tennessee's "Court Appearance Reminder Program Act," creating a statewide system to send automated reminders to defendants about upcoming court dates in criminal and traffic cases where they are not in custody. The program, administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts, automatically enrolls defendants who provide contact information (text as default) and sends at least three reminders before each court appearance, including one the day prior, with clear details on date, time, location, and consequences of missing. It is free for defendants, offers multilingual options, and includes virtual appearance links when applicable, while prohibiting the use of contact information for criminal investigations or bail decisions. The bill aims to reduce missed court appearances, lower unnecessary arrests and jail admissions, and improve judicial efficiency by addressing logistical barriers rather than altering penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomated court reminders reduce missed appearances, preventing unnecessary warrants/incarceration and aligning with reform goals to improve court efficiency and defendant compliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2245: State Inmates - As introduced, requires the department of correction to keep a copy of each validated risk and needs assessment of each inmate under its supervision and control for the duration of the inmate's period of incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 41.

HB 2245 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to maintain a copy of each validated risk and needs assessment for every inmate under its supervision throughout their entire incarceration. This bill directly affects all state inmates by mandating that the department retain these specific assessment records. The key provision is the permanent retention of validated assessments, amending Tennessee Code Annotated Title 41 to ensure these documents remain available for the full duration of an inmate's sentence. The bill focuses on administrative record-keeping without creating new policies or altering inmate rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates retention of risk assessments to inform rehabilitation programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform goals like recidivism reduction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HJR 932: Memorials, Recognition - Prison Fellowship -

This House Joint Resolution (HJR 932) is a symbolic resolution honoring Prison Fellowship's 50th anniversary and recognizing its work supporting incarcerated individuals through faith-based programs. It acknowledges the organization's role in advancing religious freedom in prisons, reducing recidivism via initiatives like its Academy program (with documented success in Texas, Minnesota, and Tennessee), and serving families through its Angel Tree program. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any specific individuals or policies - it solely expresses legislative commendation for Prison Fellowship's service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHonors Prison Fellowship's recidivism-reduction programs (Academy) and rehabilitation initiatives, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections