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.
SB 481 removes a requirement for individuals or entities claiming seized property to post a bond when filing a claim under Tennessee's asset forfeiture laws. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-33-205(a) and 40-33-206(b) to eliminate the need for a "cost bond" in forfeiture proceedings. This change directly affects people challenging law enforcement seizures of property, making it easier to contest such seizures without upfront financial barriers. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all seizures occurring on or after that date.
HB 445 updates Tennessee's process for restoring voting rights after felony convictions. It replaces vague language about "restoring citizenship rights" with specific requirements that voting rights must be restored "as prescribed by law" for each felony conviction. The bill explicitly bans voting rights restoration for certain serious offenses, including first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, and voter fraud (with expanded restrictions for some crimes after 2006). This affects individuals with felony convictions who previously had their voting rights restored through court orders or pardons. The law became effective on May 13, 2025, after becoming Public Chapter 298.
SB 407 changes how Tennessee restores voting rights after felony convictions. It removes the requirement for a governor's pardon, instead automatically restoring voting rights once a person completes their sentence (including probation or parole) for most felony convictions. The bill affects individuals with past felony convictions who were previously barred from voting without a pardon. However, voting rights remain restricted for those convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or certain violent sexual offenses, as specified in the law.
SB 464 amends Tennessee's bail bond laws to set a minimum 5% premium fee for bonds, replacing the previous 10% cap. It directly affects defendants using bail bonds and bondsmen/insurance agents by requiring fees to be between 5% and 10% of the bond amount (e.g., $125-$250 on a $2,500 bond), while allowing up to 15% for certain bond types. The bill changes specific sections of Tennessee Code (40-11-151, 40-11-316, and 40-11-316(c)) to establish these new fee ranges. It takes effect July 1, 2025, impacting all professional bondsmen and insurance agents providing appearance bonds for criminal cases.
SB 678 changes Tennessee sentencing for aggravated sexual battery. It makes this crime a more serious Class A felony (instead of Class B) when the victim was under 18 or was mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. The bill requires defendants convicted in these cases to be sentenced as Range II offenders, meaning their minimum sentence cannot be lower than Range II even if Range III applies. This policy change directly affects defendants convicted of aggravated sexual battery where the victim meets one of the specified vulnerability conditions, effective July 1, 2025.
SB 1166 requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to annually report to legislative leaders on DUI arrests where no alcohol or intoxicants were detected in the person's blood or breath. Specifically, the TBI must submit a report by January 1 each year (starting in 2026) detailing these cases from the most recent complete data year, including the arresting law enforcement agency. The bill affects the TBI (as the reporting entity) and the Tennessee General Assembly (as the recipient of the data). This provision amends Tennessee law to create a new annual reporting requirement under Title 38, focusing solely on data collection without changing DUI penalties or procedures.
HB 1204 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws. It allows law enforcement officers to assist qualified medical practitioners in using reasonable force to obtain blood samples from drivers suspected of DUI, and increases the maximum sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. The blood sample provision takes effect immediately upon enactment, while the sentencing change will take effect on July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects drivers charged with DUI in Tennessee by altering evidence collection procedures and penalties.
SB 1400 revises Tennessee's driving under the influence (DUI) laws by two key changes: it permits law enforcement officers to assist medical professionals in obtaining blood samples from drivers using reasonable force during DUI investigations, and it increases the minimum jail sentence for a first-time DUI conviction from one year to one year and six months. These provisions directly affect drivers charged with DUI, law enforcement officers conducting blood tests, and medical personnel involved in the sampling process. The blood sample provision took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on May 5, 2025, while the sentence increase will apply starting January 1, 2026. The bill does not alter DUI testing standards or expand penalties beyond these specific changes.
HB 1229 modifies Tennessee's asset forfeiture laws by removing the requirement for claimants to post a bond when filing claims for seized property. This change directly affects individuals or businesses seeking to recover property seized by law enforcement under forfeiture proceedings. The bill deletes language requiring a "cost bond or" in Tennessee Code Annotated §40-33-205(a) and removes subsection (b) from §40-33-206, streamlining the claim process. The law will take effect July 1, 2025, applying to all seizures occurring on or after that date.
