Criminal Procedure - As enacted, increases from 11 months and 29 days to two years from the date of arrest the time within which misdemeanor charges against a defendant who has been found incompetent must be retired unless the defendant is restored to competency; adds to present law that, when a defendant whose misdemeanor charges were retired due to a finding of incompetency is released into the community, the chief officer is required to notify the court of the defendant's discharge and provide the court and the sheriff with an outpatient treatment plan that accounts for the safety of the community. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52.

HB 1177 extends the time limit for filing misdemeanor charges against defendants found incompetent to stand trial from 11 months and 29 days to two years after arrest, unless the defendant is restored to competency. It directly affects misdemeanor defendants declared incompetent by a court, requiring prosecutors to move faster or dismiss charges if competency isn't restored. The bill also mandates that when such a defendant is released into the community after charges are dismissed due to incompetence, the chief officer must notify the court, provide a discharge notice, and share an outpatient treatment plan designed to ensure community safety. These changes update Tennessee Code Sections 33-7-301 and 52-6-102.