Jails, Local Lock-ups - As enacted, requires, if a prisoner is released for paid employment, the cost of the electronic monitoring device to be deducted from the prisoner's wages by the sheriff and paid directly to the electronic monitoring device provider by the county or state, as applicable; requires, if a prisoner is released for unpaid work, the entity utilizing the prisoner for work to pay the costs of the electronic monitoring device. - Amends TCA Title 41.
SB 533 changes who pays for electronic monitoring devices when prisoners are released for work in Tennessee. For unpaid work release, the organization employing the prisoner must cover the monitoring costs. For paid employment, the prisoner’s wages must be used to pay for the device, with the sheriff deducting the cost and paying the provider directly. This applies to county or state facilities under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 41, effective July 1, 2025. The bill removes a prior 2024 start date but otherwise modifies existing work release rules.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Signed May 2, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 9, 2025 · House Apr 15, 2025
How they voted
30–5
Passed
Total votes 35
Apr 9, 2025
D
Democratic6
83% Nay
R
Republican29
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
10
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 2, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0290)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 76, Nays 18, PNV 0
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0293)
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 5
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 2 PNV 0
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/24/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
John Stevens
RRepublican
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