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 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.
SB 406 expands which Tennessee courts in Shelby County can handle petitions for orders of protection. It allows criminal courts to process these petitions when the same court is already hearing a related criminal case involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victims. This change eliminates the need for victims to seek protection orders in a separate court, streamlining the process while the criminal case is active. The bill directly affects survivors of these specific crimes in Shelby County who are navigating both criminal and protection proceedings. The law took effect on April 24, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
SB 601 updates Tennessee's pretrial release rules for defendants using global positioning monitoring systems. It defines "qualified contract service providers" (companies managing GPS monitoring), requiring them to have 24/7 monitoring centers, written court protocols, and notify emergency dispatchers if defendants violate bond conditions. The bill also creates a process where courts must hold hearings within 10 days if defendants fall behind on monitoring costs, with options to revoke bond, require payment, or seek alternative funding (excluding local sheriff's departments). This directly affects defendants on monitored pretrial release, victims receiving alerts, courts imposing conditions, and private GPS monitoring companies.
HB 797 requires Tennessee juvenile courts to hold child custody, detention, and court hearings in a dedicated courtroom located as close as possible to an approved juvenile detention facility in the same county. This applies to counties that operate an approved detention center for juveniles under court jurisdiction. The law aims to reduce humiliation for children by minimizing unnecessary transportation, which can involve public exposure and restraints during court transfers. It does not change existing rules about confidentiality or the use of audio-visual technology in juvenile proceedings.
HB 1257 expands expungement eligibility in Tennessee to include individuals who facilitated, attempted, or solicited offenses that were already eligible for expungement under existing law. It modifies multiple criminal justice statutes (Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 7, 16, 38, 40, 55, and 57) to clarify this expanded eligibility, directly affecting people seeking to clear certain criminal records. The bill also requires expungement forms to be publicly accessible on court websites. This law took effect in April 2025 after becoming Public Chapter 268.
SB 718 requires Tennessee juvenile courts to hold child custody, detention, or legal hearings in a dedicated courtroom located as close as possible to the county's approved juvenile detention facility. This applies to courts that use a detention center approved by the Department of Children's Services for housing detained youth. The law aims to reduce the humiliation and unnecessary transportation of detained children by minimizing public exposure and restraints during court appearances. It does not change detention standards or confidentiality rules but mandates specific courtroom location practices for these proceedings. The bill became effective October 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
HB 580 updates Tennessee's pretrial release rules for defendants using GPS monitoring. It requires counties to contract with "qualified" GPS service providers that offer 24/7 monitoring, maintain written court protocols, and notify emergency services if a defendant violates bond conditions. The bill also clarifies that victims must receive emergency contact information, limits liability for service providers, and creates a process where courts must hold hearings within 10 days if defendants fail to pay monitoring costs. This directly affects defendants on monitored pretrial release, victims, law enforcement, and GPS service providers.
HB 601 allows criminal defendants in Tennessee who pleaded guilty, "best interest," or no contest to later petition for a new trial based on new evidence that was unknown to them at the time of their plea, through no fault of their own. The law creates a specific court process: defendants file a verified petition with no fee, and if the court finds the claim has merit, a hearing is scheduled where the defendant must prove the new evidence establishes actual innocence. If proven, the court vacates the conviction and orders a new trial; if not, the petition is dismissed. This law applies to all convictions regardless of trial type (jury or plea) and takes effect July 1, 2025.
