Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1938: Orders of Protection - As introduced, increases from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony the penalty for the criminal offense of violation of an order of protection if the order violated was a lifetime order of protection and the conviction that the lifetime order of protection was based on involved the use of force against a victim. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

SB 1938 increases the penalty for violating a lifetime order of protection from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony under specific circumstances. This applies when the violation occurs after a conviction for an offense involving force against a victim (such as assault) that led to the lifetime order. The bill also requires prison sentences for such violations to be served consecutively to other sentences for the same incident, though judges may allow concurrent sentences in some cases. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, and affects individuals convicted of violent offenses who later violate lifetime protective orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for violating lifetime protection orders from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization and mandating consecutive sentences per bill text.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2074: Employees, Employers - As enacted, requires a public safety employer to provide an employee or prospective employee with reasonable access to the employee's or prospective employee's full employment record, including the results of any mental health evaluation or screening; makes certain other changes relative to employment by a public safety employer. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 38; Title 50; Title 62 and Title 68.

HB 2074 requires public safety employers (like police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services) to provide employees or job applicants with reasonable access to their full employment records, including mental health evaluation results. If a job applicant is denied employment based on a mental health screening, they must be shown the results and can request a second evaluation at their own expense. The employer must then reevaluate the applicant using the new results. This bill directly affects public safety workers and applicants in Tennessee, creating a clear process for accessing sensitive employment information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public safety employers to provide mental health evaluation access and reevaluation rights for applicants, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement hiring practices.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates public safety employers to provide access to employment records including mental health evaluations, enabling workers to challenge denials and request reevaluation. Protects workers' rights to transparency and fair employment practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Public Employees Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 1961: Veterans - As introduced, enacts the “Tennessee Veteran Protection and Due Process Act.” - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 38 and Title 58.

HB 1961, the "Tennessee Veteran Protection and Due Process Act," prohibits Tennessee state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities in detaining or transferring veterans without specific safeguards. It requires police to screen individuals for military service and verify veteran status using documents like a DD-214 before honoring federal immigration requests. The law mandates that federal authorities must provide written certification confirming non-veteran status or VA verification, and transfers require a judicial warrant and proof that veterans' immigration options were considered. Veterans in state custody must also be informed of their right to military-experienced legal counsel and maintain access to benefits during proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to verify veteran status before detaining, protecting civil rights in law enforcement interactions per bill's due process safeguards.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationLimits state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement by requiring veteran status verification before detaining, protecting veterans from immigration enforcement without due process.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill protects veterans from wrongful immigration detention by requiring verification of veteran status and mandating federal certification for non-veterans, directly advancing veteran rights and due process.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1698: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony if the offense occurs while the defendant is committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1698 increases the penalty for impersonating a law enforcement officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony when the impersonation occurs during the commission or attempt of a crime of violence. This change directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers while committing or attempting violent crimes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-16-301, to establish this higher penalty level. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalty severity from misdemeanor to felony for impersonating officers during violent crimes, expanding criminalization and raising sentencing levels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1976: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras to adopt a written policy for the use of the cameras by its law enforcement officers; establishes certain requirements for the policies. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 1.

SB 1976 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies using body cameras to create written policies governing their use. The policies must mandate officers activate cameras during calls for service and public encounters (except during immediate threats), keep them on until the interaction ends, and notify people being recorded. Exceptions include asking occupants before entering homes without a warrant, victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault, and anonymous crime reporters if they request the camera be turned off. The bill directly affects all Tennessee police departments and officers using body cameras, ensuring consistent recording practices while protecting privacy in specific sensitive situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires body camera policies mandating activation during interactions, enhancing officer accountability and transparency in law enforcement, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1900: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, increases the penalty for assaulting a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $5,000 and a mandatory minimum of 30 days incarceration to a Class E felony with a mandatory fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum of 60 days incarceration. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1900 increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in Tennessee by upgrading the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change mandates a $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence for assaulting police officers or other first responders, compared to the current $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum for assaulting nurses. The bill specifically amends Tennessee law to impose these stricter penalties for assaults on law enforcement, while keeping existing misdemeanor penalties for assaults on nurses. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers or first responders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for assaulting first responders, upgrading to felony with harsher penalties (60-day minimum vs. 30-day), opposing criminal justice reform trends.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 1614: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires state and local criminal justice agencies to share all criminal justice data and records, including relevant personally identifying information and demographic information, held by that agency with a bona fide researcher for the purpose of facilitating and promoting criminal justice research. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 38.

SB 1614 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments, courts, and corrections) to share specific criminal justice data - including personal details like race, age, and arrest records - with approved researchers. The bill mandates sharing data on stops, arrests, sentencing, and corrections programs, but only to researchers who meet strict criteria (e.g., institutional review board approval and security protocols to protect privacy). Agencies cannot charge more than actual costs for data access, and this sharing does not count as public disclosure under existing laws. The law takes effect in 2026, with agencies required to implement it by 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires data sharing for research to promote evidence-based reform, aligning with support indicators like enhancing accountability through transparency in criminal justice practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 1547: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires state and local criminal justice agencies to share all criminal justice data and records, including relevant personally identifying information and demographic information, held by that agency with a bona fide researcher for the purpose of facilitating and promoting criminal justice research. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 38.

HB 1547 requires Tennessee state and local criminal justice agencies (like police departments and courts) to share specific criminal justice data with qualified researchers. This includes personal details, demographic information, and records about stops, arrests, sentencing, and supervision programs. To qualify, researchers must have institutional review board approval, agree to use data only for research, and maintain strict security protocols to protect sensitive information. The bill does not make data publicly available but creates a formal process for researchers to access it for studies aimed at improving criminal justice outcomes. Agencies must comply by January 2027, though they may charge reasonable fees for data retrieval.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates data sharing for research to inform criminal justice reform, aligning with indicators like enhancing accountability and promoting evidence-based policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Sentencing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2032: Employees, Employers - As enacted, requires a public safety employer to provide an employee or prospective employee with reasonable access to the employee's or prospective employee's full employment record, including the results of any mental health evaluation or screening; makes certain other changes relative to employment by a public safety employer. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 38; Title 50; Title 62 and Title 68.

SB 2032 requires Tennessee public safety employers (such as police departments, fire services, and emergency medical personnel) to provide employees and job applicants with reasonable access to their full employment records, including mental health evaluation results. If an applicant is denied employment based on a mental health evaluation, they can request the evaluation results and submit an alternative evaluation at their own expense, which the employer must review. The bill amends multiple Tennessee codes to implement these transparency requirements and allows employees to sue for violations, with the winning party recovering attorney fees. This law directly affects public safety workers and job seekers in roles involving protection of persons or property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures transparency in mental health evaluations for public safety employment, protecting applicants' rights and promoting fair hiring practices within law enforcement, aligning with accountability reforms.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures public safety employees access to mental health evaluation records used in employment decisions, protecting individual rights regarding mental health documentation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires public safety employers to provide access to employment records including mental health evaluations and allows applicants to challenge denials with alternative evaluations, strengthening transparency and due process for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Mental Health Public Employees Tags Public Safety

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1474: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, restates the criminal offense of drag racing as street drag racing; expands the offense to include acts committed on commercial property; authorizes a vehicle used in the commission of the offense or to flee after commission of the offense to be impounded for the purpose of collecting evidence; makes various other changes regarding the offense of street drag racing. - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 39; Title 40; Title 55 and Title 68.

SB 1474 redefines "drag racing" as "street drag racing" throughout Tennessee law and expands the offense to include reckless driving or drifting stunts on commercial properties (like shopping centers), not just public roads. It defines "drifting" as steering to lose traction for skidding, allows police to impound vehicles used in the offense or to flee, and makes reckless endangerment from street drag racing a Class E felony. The bill directly affects drivers engaging in street racing or drifting, property owners on commercial sites where such activities occur, and law enforcement handling related arrests. Key changes include requiring arrests to be taken before a magistrate (not issued a citation) and mandating vehicle impoundment for evidence collection.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of street drag racing to commercial properties, elevates to Class E felony, increasing penalties and restricting driver activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Policing

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