Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2650: Victims' Rights - As enacted, requires a notification of a restorative justice option, which is a voluntary, victim-centered process that may include facilitated communication, conferencing, community repair agreements, or other structured accountability and repair practices, to be provided through a program for victims in Davidson and Shelby counties. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 2650 requires Tennessee's attorney general to notify crime victims about escrow accounts holding funds for civil judgments using email, phone calls, and text messages - beyond just direct in-person or mail contact. This change directly affects victims in civil cases where compensation may be available through court-ordered escrow funds. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 29, 36, 37, 39, and 40) to update notification methods, ensuring victims receive timely information through multiple accessible channels. It focuses on procedural clarity without altering eligibility or funding amounts for victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates multi-channel victim notification for civil judgment funds in criminal cases, improving access to compensation. This directly supports victim rights within the criminal justice system's court processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2183: Elder Abuse - As introduced, extends from 10 to 20 days, the time within which a court must schedule a hearing on a petition to freeze the funds of a criminal defendant charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult involving the taking more than $5,000 of property while the criminal proceeding is pending for purposes of restitution to the victim. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15.

HB 2183 extends the deadline for courts to schedule hearings on motions to freeze a criminal defendant's funds in cases involving financial exploitation of elderly or vulnerable adults. The bill changes the timeframe from 10 to 20 days after a motion is filed, specifically for cases where the defendant took over $5,000 in property. This applies to criminal proceedings pending restitution for victims, giving courts more time to act before the hearing. The change directly affects courts handling these elder abuse cases and aims to streamline the process for returning assets to victims. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 39-15-502(c)(4) and is pending legislative action.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends court deadline for victim restitution in elder financial exploitation cases, ensuring timely recovery of funds for victims, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2376: Elder Abuse - As introduced, extends from 10 to 20 days, the time within which a court must schedule a hearing on a petition to freeze the funds of a criminal defendant charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult involving the taking more than $5,000 of property while the criminal proceeding is pending for purposes of restitution to the victim. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15.

SB 2376 extends the deadline for courts to schedule hearings on petitions to freeze a criminal defendant's funds in financial exploitation cases involving elderly or vulnerable adults. Specifically, it changes the timeframe from 10 to 20 days after a motion is filed, applying when defendants are accused of taking more than $5,000 in property. This affects courts handling these cases, victims seeking restitution, and defendants charged with financial exploitation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-15-502(c)(4) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends court deadline for restitution hearings in elder abuse cases, ensuring timely victim restitution - supports victim protection within criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2210: Courts - As enacted, requires the clerks of the criminal courts to provide the Tennessee sheriffs' association with all court data necessary for the administration of the criminal proceedings notification system. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 40 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 6.

SB 2210 increases the required notice period for victims registered in Tennessee's criminal proceedings notification system from 24 to 36 hours before any related hearing. This change directly affects victims who have registered to receive alerts about court proceedings involving their case. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-38-507(b)(1), to update the notice timeframe. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim notice period from 24 to 36 hours, strengthening victim protections in criminal proceedings per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2564: Victims' Rights - As enacted, requires a notification of a restorative justice option, which is a voluntary, victim-centered process that may include facilitated communication, conferencing, community repair agreements, or other structured accountability and repair practices, to be provided through a program for victims in Davidson and Shelby counties. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2564 requires Tennessee's attorney general to notify crime victims about escrow accounts holding funds for civil judgments using email, phone calls, and text messages - beyond just direct in-person or mail notification. This bill directly affects victims who have civil judgments against offenders and are eligible to receive funds from these escrow accounts. The key provision amends Tennessee Code Section 29-13-405(1) to mandate these additional notification methods. The change ensures victims receive timely updates about available funds through multiple accessible communication channels.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates multi-channel victim notification for escrow funds, ensuring access to restitution under criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2221: Courts - As enacted, requires the clerks of the criminal courts to provide the Tennessee sheriffs' association with all court data necessary for the administration of the criminal proceedings notification system. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 40 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 6.

HB 2221 increases the required notice period for crime victims registered in Tennessee's criminal proceedings notification system from 24 to 36 hours before any hearing related to their case. This change directly affects victims who have opted into the state's notification system to receive updates about criminal cases involving them. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 40-38-507(b)(1) to implement this longer notice period, affecting how the system communicates with registered victims. The policy change focuses solely on extending the notice window for victims' awareness, with no other provisions or impacts described in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends victim notification period from 24 to 36 hours, strengthening protections for crime victims in criminal proceedings per TCA 40-38-507(b)(1).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2367: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, adds "a victim" to the definition of an individual involved in the judicial process for purposes of the criminal offense of harming or threatening to harm an individual involved in the judicial process; makes various other changes regarding victims of crime. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2367 expands the legal definition of "victim" in Tennessee criminal law to include insurance companies that compensated victims and law enforcement agencies that spent funds on investigations. It also explicitly allows victims (or their representatives) to attend court proceedings related to their case, beyond the state's designated witness. The bill specifically adds certain offenses - like evading arrest causing serious injury/death and vehicular homicide - to the list where victim impact is considered during sentencing. These changes directly affect crime victims, their representatives, insurance providers, and law enforcement agencies involved in criminal cases. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim definition to include insurers/law enforcement and mandates victim participation in court, enhancing victim protections in criminal proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2085: Victims' Rights - As enacted, authorizes a court clerk to increase the victims assistance assessment from $45 to $125, with the first $15 of each assessment being paid to the court clerk for processing and handling and the remaining amount being transmitted to the county in which the offense occurred for the exclusive use of the victims assistance program previously designated by the county legislative body. - Amends TCA Section 40-24-109.

SB 2085 (Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-24-109) increases the victims' assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of certain crimes, including those who plead guilty, are found guilty, or enter diversion programs. The fee applies to criminal cases in Tennessee courts and directly affects convicted defendants. The bill specifies that $15 of each assessment goes to the court clerk for processing, while the remaining $110 must be sent to the county’s designated victim assistance program. This change redirects funding to support local victim services under existing state law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases fee revenue ($110/case) directly funding county victim assistance programs, advancing public service funding under budget/tax framework.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases funding for victim assistance programs via higher fees on convicted defendants, directly supporting victims within the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1928: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, adds "a victim" to the definition of an individual involved in the judicial process for purposes of the criminal offense of harming or threatening to harm an individual involved in the judicial process; makes various other changes regarding victims of crime. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1928 updates Tennessee law to clarify who qualifies as a "victim" in criminal cases. It adds victims and their representatives to court procedures (e.g., allowing a victim’s designated representative to attend proceedings), expands the definition to include entities like insurance companies that compensated victims, and specifies protections for victims in cases involving vehicular homicide or evading arrest that caused injury. This directly affects crime victims seeking legal protections during court proceedings. The bill makes these definitions more explicit to ensure victims’ voices are heard in the judicial process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim protections by clarifying definitions, allowing representatives to attend proceedings, and including entities like insurance companies, directly strengthening victim-centered criminal justice95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2023: Victims' Rights - As enacted, authorizes a court clerk to increase the victims assistance assessment from $45 to $125, with the first $15 of each assessment being paid to the court clerk for processing and handling and the remaining amount being transmitted to the county in which the offense occurred for the exclusive use of the victims assistance program previously designated by the county legislative body. - Amends TCA Section 40-24-109.

HB 2023 increases the victims assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to criminal offenses in Tennessee courts. The first $15 of the fee goes to the court clerk for processing costs, while the remaining $110 is directed to county-designated victim assistance programs. This change applies to all criminal cases where a defendant enters a guilty plea, is found guilty, enters a nolo contendere plea, or is found criminally responsible for qualifying offenses. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-24-109, to implement this funding shift without altering eligibility for victim services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases victims' assessment fee to fund county victim assistance programs, directly allocating $110 per case to public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim assistance funding from $45 to $125, directing $110 to county victim programs, directly strengthening victims' rights within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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