SB 304 allows video recordings of children's interviews with forensic interviewers to be used as evidence in court for cases involving sexual or physical violence against children. The bill requires either the child or the forensic interviewer to swear under oath that the recording is accurate, and the child must be available for cross-examination. It also clarifies that interviews conducted by qualified professionals - such as those employed by accredited child advocacy centers or federal agencies - meet admissibility standards. This change directly affects child victims in criminal cases, streamlining evidence presentation while maintaining judicial safeguards.
HB 583 allows video recordings of child forensic interviews (in cases involving sexual or physical violence) to be used as court evidence, provided a trained interviewer confirms the recording's accuracy and the child is available for cross-examination by the defense. It amends Tennessee evidence law to require the child or interviewer to verify the recording's truthfulness under oath. The bill specifically clarifies that interviews conducted by qualified child advocacy centers (meeting certain standards) or federal agencies are admissible. This directly affects child victims in criminal cases where such video evidence is relevant, ensuring their statements can be presented without requiring repeated testimony.
HB 1020 grants law enforcement officers immunity from civil lawsuits for property damage or personal injury caused during official duties if the injured person was resisting arrest (and later convicted under Tennessee's resisting arrest statute, §39-16-602). This immunity does not apply if the officer acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct, nor does it cover bystanders or others not resisting arrest at the time of the incident. The bill amends Tennessee law (Titles 29 and 39) to change how civil liability is handled for officers’ actions during enforcement. It directly affects individuals who resist arrest and their ability to sue officers, while protecting officers from lawsuits under specific, limited circumstances.
Tennessee Senate Joint Resolution 25 proposes a constitutional amendment that would remove the right to bail for specific serious offenses when evidence is strong. It targets charges including terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, and any other offense where a conviction would require serving at least 85% of the sentence before release. Judges would be required to document their bail decisions for these cases, and the amendment would take effect on November 3, 2026. The proposal must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to become part of Tennessee's constitution.
HB 762 establishes rules for using certified facility dogs to support witnesses, especially victims, during court testimony to reduce stress and improve testimony accuracy. The bill sets specific standards for dogs (including training, health checks, and $500,000 liability insurance) and handlers (requiring legal procedure training), and requires courts to approve their use via a motion before proceedings. During testimony, dogs must wear visible identification, handlers must stay visible to the witness (outside jury view), and courts must inform juries that the dog’s presence doesn’t affect the case. Courts must also take steps to minimize jury visibility of the dog during testimony.
SB 992 requires Tennessee's juvenile courts to adopt a new centralized computer system for tracking juvenile cases. All juvenile court clerks must switch to this statewide system, which meets criminal justice standards, following a schedule set with the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The system mandates monthly reporting of case data directly to the AOC, replacing older, fragmented record-keeping methods. This change applies to all juvenile courts across Tennessee and aims to improve data consistency and accessibility.
SB 1299, now law in Tennessee, modifies ignition interlock device requirements for drivers convicted of DUI offenses. It allows individuals to schedule calibration, monitoring, or inspection appointments within a two-week window before or after their original date (instead of strict on-time appointments), and permits courts to reinstate driver’s licenses if the sole noncompliance was missing a calibration appointment and no other license suspensions exist. The bill also adds provisions for military service members deployed outside Tennessee for over 30 days, enabling temporary tolling of ignition interlock usage periods with proof of deployment. These changes take effect April 11, 2025, and apply directly to drivers required to use ignition interlock devices.
HB 1315 modifies Tennessee's ignition interlock device laws to provide flexibility for drivers. It allows people with ignition interlock requirements to attend device calibration, monitoring, or inspection at any time within a 14-day window (7 days before or after their scheduled appointment) without penalty. The bill also creates a new provision for active-duty military members deployed outside Tennessee for over 30 days, enabling them to temporarily pause their ignition interlock period by submitting military orders. Courts can reinstate driver licenses if the only noncompliance was with device appointments and the driver has no other license restrictions. These changes apply to all drivers required to use ignition interlock devices under Tennessee law.
HB 1038 requires all Tennessee juvenile court clerks to adopt a single, secure statewide system for managing juvenile case records. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) must maintain this system and set adoption timelines for courts. Juvenile courts must report case data monthly through this system, replacing older record-keeping methods. This affects every juvenile court clerk and the state’s court administration across all counties.
SB 456 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include robbery as a "crime of violence" within the state's criminal code. This change adds robbery to a list of offenses - including murder, rape, burglary, and aggravated assault - that are currently classified under this legal category. By doing so, the bill ensures robbery cases will be treated under the same sentencing and legal frameworks as other designated violent crimes. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2025, impacting how Tennessee courts and law enforcement handle robbery prosecutions.
