Sen. Paul Rose

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summarySB 2146, the "Violent Criminal Court Act," creates two new criminal courts in Tennessee's thirtieth judicial district to handle specific violent offenses like homicides and aggravated assaults, which saw significant increases (33% and 41% from 2018-2024). The bill adds four new prosecutor positions and two criminal investigator roles for the district and directs courts to transfer designated violent crime cases to these new courts starting September 2026. This aims to reduce caseloads for prosecutors and public defenders while expediting case processing to improve public safety. The new courts will initially have temporary judges appointed until 2028, after which judges will be elected for eight-year terms.

Maddy summarySB 2374 requires organizations receiving funds from Tennessee's child abuse fund, child advocacy centers fund, CASA fund, and child abuse prevention fund to submit annual reports to the Speaker of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, in addition to the current requirement of reporting to the civil justice committee of the House. These reports must detail fund usage, collaborative efforts to address child abuse, and recommendations for improving the state's child abuse prevention and response system. The bill does not alter funding amounts or program substance but modifies reporting requirements to include legislative leadership. This procedural change is pending in the Senate Delayed Bills Committee.

Maddy summarySB 2438 removes an outdated requirement for Tennessee's public colleges and universities. The bill deletes a provision that previously mandated these institutions' governing boards to submit a report by July 1, 2025, detailing their implementation of research security policies. This change affects all public higher education institutions in Tennessee by eliminating a specific administrative reporting obligation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Titles 9 and 49, to reflect this procedural update.

Maddy summarySB 2408 amends Tennessee law to expand the definition of criminal offenses involving dangerous animals. It replaces "venomous or dangerous snake or reptile" with "venomous or dangerous snake, insect, or reptile" in Section 39-17-101, making it illegal to display, exhibit, handle, or use venomous insects in ways that endanger public safety. This change directly affects individuals who handle venomous insects (like certain wasps or bees) in public or commercial settings where others might be at risk. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, extending existing criminal penalties for dangerous animal handling to include specific venomous insects.

Maddy summarySB 1856 changes the annual deadline for Tennessee's Department of Education to submit its report on the school safety alert grant pilot fund from February 1 to January 15, effective for reports due in 2027 and beyond. This amendment modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Section 49-1-225(f), directly affecting the Department of Education by requiring an earlier submission date. The bill does not alter the report's content or the grant program's requirements, only the timing of the submission. The change aims to provide earlier access to data on the grant program's implementation.

Maddy summarySB 1855 extends the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Correction to submit its annual report on higher education opportunities for incarcerated individuals. The bill changes the submission date from January 1 to January 15 each year. The report must be sent to specific legislative committees: the judiciary and education committees in the Senate, and the criminal justice and education administration committees in the House. This adjustment provides the Department of Correction with an additional two weeks to prepare the report without altering its content or requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1854 reduces the waiting period for accessing confidential adoption records in Tennessee from 100 years to 90 years after the adoption is finalized. This change directly affects adoptees, birth parents, and other parties seeking access to sealed adoption records. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 36-1-149 to replace "one hundred (100) years" with "ninety (90) years" across relevant statutes. It does not alter current procedures for record access but shortens the time before records become public. The policy change applies to all adoption records finalized after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1844) renames two public plazas in front of the War Memorial Building in Nashville, Tennessee, to "Winfield Dunn War Memorial Plaza." It updates legal references in Tennessee law to replace the former names "Legislative Plaza" and "War Memorial Plaza" with the new designation across multiple code sections. The change applies to official records and signage but does not alter the physical spaces or create new policies.

Maddy summarySB 1446 requires Lauderdale County to relocate its Probate and Juvenile Courts from the County Courthouse to the Justice Complex, affecting county residents who use these courts. The bill mandates the County Commission to organize the move (including staff, records, and equipment) and dissolve the courts after the current judge's term ends. Probate responsibilities transfer to Chancery Court, while juvenile matters shift to General Sessions Court. The bill requires a two-thirds vote of Lauderdale County's legislative body for approval before taking effect.