Sen. Jack Johnson

Maddy summarySB 1867 allows video recordings of child victims' interviews conducted by Department of Children's Services employees to be used as evidence in court, specifically for cases involving sexual or physical violence. The recordings are admissible only if the interview was supervised by a qualifying child advocacy center meeting specific standards and the interviewer meets all required qualifications. This law applies directly to child abuse cases in Tennessee, modifying evidence rules under Titles 9 and 24 of the Tennessee Code. The provision expires on July 1, 2031, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1863 amends Tennessee's bail bond reporting law by changing quarterly deadline dates for two groups: bondsmen and court clerks. Specifically, it moves the filing deadline for reports on bonds issued (by bondsmen) and bonds accepted (by court clerks) from the 25th to the 30th of January, April, July, and October each year. This bill directly affects bail bondsmen and court clerks who handle bond-related paperwork. The change only adjusts the reporting schedule without altering any substantive bail procedures or requirements. The amendment applies to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, Chapter 11, Section 40-11-314.

Maddy summarySB 1878 shortens the deadline for prison wardens in Tennessee to report criminal offenses occurring in penal institutions. It reduces the current requirement of five business days to four business days for submitting these reports to district attorneys. The bill directly affects prison officials who must make these reports and the prosecutors who receive them. This procedural change amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-16-202, to adjust the reporting timeline.

Maddy summarySB 1862 amends Tennessee law to extend the timeframe for the Department of Correction to notify victims about parole hearings. Specifically, it increases the deadline from 90 to 100 days after receiving a valid conviction judgment for notifying victim witness coordinators of an inmate's scheduled parole hearing date. This change directly affects crime victims and their designated coordinators by providing an additional 10 days to prepare for parole proceedings. The amendment applies to inmates eligible for parole consideration and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 543 is a resolution recognizing January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Tennessee. It does not create new laws but formally acknowledges human trafficking - as defined by the resolution as exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion for commercial sex or forced labor - and highlights existing state efforts to combat it, such as business education programs and law enforcement reporting.

Maddy summarySB 1781 (Tennessee) requires county election commissions to notify individuals who file recall, referendum, or initiative petitions about any defects needing correction before the petition can be certified. This amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, adds a specific requirement for commissions to inform filers of documentation issues that must be fixed. The bill directly affects petitioners seeking to trigger elections through these mechanisms by providing a clear process for addressing incomplete submissions. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 3 sentences as required.)

Maddy summarySB 1671 extends the deadline for state government entities managing scholarship programs from 30 to 45 days before the academic term begins to select scholarship beneficiaries and notify the college savings trust fund board. This change directly affects state agencies and programs that administer scholarships funded through educational investment plans. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (Titles 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 49, and 50) to implement this timeline adjustment. The policy change provides scholarship administrators with additional time to finalize selections and coordinate with the college savings program.

Maddy summarySB 1085 amends Tennessee law to allow private colleges with their main campus in Tennessee and seeking regional accreditation (but not yet fully accredited) to qualify for state lottery-funded financial aid. This change directly affects eligible private institutions and their students who rely on such aid. The bill updates the definition of qualifying institutions in higher education funding rules, specifically adding "candidate for accreditation" status to the eligibility criteria. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summarySB 1265 renames Tennessee's meat inspection law from "Tennessee Meat and Poultry Inspection Act" to "Tennessee Meat Inspection Act" and revises it to establish a state-run meat inspection program. The bill directly affects meat processing facilities, custom operations (like small farms preparing meat for household use), and businesses selling meat within Tennessee. Key provisions create a state program to inspect meat for safety and labeling, replacing reliance on federal oversight for intrastate commerce, while excluding personal use of home-slaughtered meat and restaurants using federally inspected products. The law ensures Tennessee's Department of Agriculture has exclusive authority over meat inspections within the state.

Maddy summarySB 693 increases penalties for certain child abuse offenses in Tennessee. It upgrades the punishment for knowingly causing injury to a child aged 9-17 from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change directly affects individuals convicted of such abuse, making the offense a felony charge. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 36, 37, 39, and 40 and takes effect July 1, 2025, for offenses committed on or after that date.