SB 963 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

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.

SB 963 extends the deadline for filing misdemeanor charges against defendants found incompetent to stand trial from 11 months and 29 days to two years after arrest. If charges are dismissed due to ongoing incompetence, the chief officer must notify the court of the defendant's release and provide an outpatient treatment plan addressing community safety. The bill directly affects misdemeanor defendants declared incompetent, requiring courts and sheriffs to receive updated discharge and treatment information. These changes amend Tennessee law in Titles 33, 40, and 52 to improve coordination during the competency process.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action May 27, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
7
Committee
8
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/15/2025
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025
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
Photo of Tom Hatcher
Tom Hatcher
RRepublican
TN
2