Judiciary

SB 2039 eliminates fraud and economic crimes fees in Tennessee counties that have implemented a $12.50 court cost. These counties will no longer collect those fees, and any existing funds in the fraud prosecution fund must be returned to the county government. The bill requires district attorneys to hold these funds until the $12.50 court cost funds equal the fraud fund balance, at which point the full amount reverts to the county. This directly affects counties using the $12.50 fee and district attorney offices managing related funds.

HB 2079 creates a new Class E felony offense for intentionally influencing the outcome of an event (like a sports game or election) while involved in a prediction market contract where you benefit from the result. It directly affects individuals using platforms where people trade bets on future events, such as sports or political outcomes. The law defines "prediction-market" as any platform enabling contracts based on unknown future events. Violating this would be punishable as a Class E felony, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026, if passed. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

HB 1471 amends Tennessee law to change the definition of a "violent offender" for drug treatment court eligibility. It removes convictions for domestic assault (if not a felony) from being counted as a violent offense, instead requiring a felony conviction for certain acts within the previous 10 years. This change would allow more individuals with non-felony domestic assault convictions to qualify for drug treatment courts. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2026.

HB 1900 amends Tennessee law to allow victims of certain out-of-state crimes to seek a lifetime order of protection against offenders. It specifically covers individuals convicted in other states of offenses that would qualify as serious crimes (like assault or stalking) if committed in Tennessee. The bill changes where such petitions can be filed: they must now be filed in the county where the respondent lives, or if the respondent isn't a Tennessee resident, in the county where the petitioner lives. This update simplifies the filing process for victims dealing with cross-jurisdictional cases.

SB 468, the "Women's Safety and Protection Act," defines "female" and "male" biologically (based on reproductive systems at birth) for state law applications. It requires Tennessee state agencies to maintain separate facilities and accommodations for biological females in correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, domestic violence shelters, restrooms, and dormitories to protect safety and privacy. The bill mandates that biological sex - not gender identity - determines eligibility for these spaces, prohibiting agencies from banning such distinctions in settings where safety or privacy is a concern. It applies directly to women, girls, and facilities serving them, with specific provisions for restrooms, sleeping quarters, and shelter access. The law overrides conflicting state laws to enforce these biological sex-based definitions.