Criminal Justice (Corrections)

signed · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HJR 932: Memorials, Recognition - Prison Fellowship -

This House Joint Resolution (HJR 932) is a symbolic resolution honoring Prison Fellowship's 50th anniversary and recognizing its work supporting incarcerated individuals through faith-based programs. It acknowledges the organization's role in advancing religious freedom in prisons, reducing recidivism via initiatives like its Academy program (with documented success in Texas, Minnesota, and Tennessee), and serving families through its Angel Tree program. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any specific individuals or policies - it solely expresses legislative commendation for Prison Fellowship's service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHonors Prison Fellowship's recidivism-reduction programs (Academy) and rehabilitation initiatives, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2388: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, revises present law that authorizes the attorney general to bring an action to enforce compliance with the Tennessee Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act or intervene as a matter of right in a case in which the constitutionality of such act is challenged. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 2388 changes three key aspects of Tennessee's criminal justice system. It raises the monthly fee defendants must pay toward supervision costs from $10 to $15 (affecting individuals under community supervision). It also changes penalties for illegally possessing a telecommunication device in prison, making it a full Class E felony (not limited to fines). Finally, it requires municipalities to cover autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state pays instead (directly affecting local government budgets). These changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases defendant supervision fees, toughens prison device penalties to full felony, and shifts autopsy costs - restrictive measures opposing reform efforts95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2492: Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, prohibits governmental entities from preventing certain persons from entering correctional institutions used to house aliens for the purpose of conducting oversight. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 6; Title 4, Chapter 4; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2492 prohibits Tennessee governmental entities and prison contractors from blocking certain officials from entering correctional facilities housing non-U.S. citizens (referred to as "aliens" in the bill) to conduct oversight. It specifically prevents restrictions on U.S. Congress members, their staff, and Tennessee state legislators or their staff visiting these facilities. The law also bans altering facility conditions during such visits to ensure unobstructed oversight. Exceptions apply during emergencies like riots, disease outbreaks, or active threats. This bill directly affects oversight access at facilities detaining immigrant detainees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates oversight access to correctional facilities housing non-U.S. citizens, promoting transparency and accountability in corrections, a core criminal justice reform principle.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2372: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, specifies that a jailer's authorization to evaluate a person confined in the county jail for purposes of the person's care includes evaluating the person's need for medical attention. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8, Chapter 8; Title 29; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 2372 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include evaluating a person's need for medical attention as part of a jailer's responsibility for their care while confined in a county jail. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated §41-4-103(b) to clarify that jailers may assess confined individuals for medical needs during routine care evaluations. This change directly affects jailers who manage county jails and the people held in those facilities. The law specifies that medical evaluation is now a defined part of the jailer's care duties, not an additional requirement. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies jailers must assess medical needs during care evaluations, promoting humane custody standards in corrections per amended TCA §41-4-103(b).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 2549: Opioids - As enacted, adds that a healthcare provider who subcontracts through the contracted healthcare vendor with the department of correction may prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder if other certain listed criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

SB 2549 allows healthcare providers who subcontract through contracted vendors with Tennessee's Department of Correction (or county/municipal jails) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, provided specific criteria are met. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 53-11-311 and related provisions to enable this practice in correctional healthcare settings. It directly affects medical staff working within prison or jail healthcare systems by expanding their ability to use buprenorphine - a medication for opioid addiction - under defined conditions. The law would take effect upon enactment, modifying how opioid treatment is delivered in state correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through expanded medical care in prisons.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, improving patient access to evidence-based care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2571: Controlled Substances - As introduced, permits a person to possess cannabis that was obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician; specifies the sentences permitted for possessing certain amounts of cannabis that was not obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.

SB 2571 allows Tennessee residents with a qualifying medical condition to legally possess cannabis obtained directly from a licensed physician. It criminalizes unauthorized possession: possessing ≤1 ounce is a Class A misdemeanor with a $100 fine max or 10 hours community service (no jail), while larger amounts face escalating fines and potential jail time (up to 6 months for repeat offenses over 1 ounce). The bill specifically targets non-medical cannabis use, setting penalties based on quantity without jail for small amounts. It directly affects residents seeking medical cannabis access versus those using cannabis without a physician's authorization.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for non-medical cannabis possession, expanding criminalization under sentencing provisions for unauthorized use.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows physician-supervised medical cannabis access, expanding patient treatment options for qualifying conditions under healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2033: Sentencing - As introduced, requires a sentencing court to order every convicted person to perform a certain number of community service hours in addition to any other punishment imposed for the criminal violation. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 2033, as introduced, would require Tennessee courts to mandate community service hours for most convicted individuals starting July 1, 2026. Felony convicts (excluding those sentenced to death, life without parole, or 100% prison time) would need to complete 80 hours, while misdemeanor convicts (excluding traffic offenses or fines-only cases) would need 40 hours. The service must be performed through approved organizations or programs, documented in writing, and verified by the court before probation or parole release. This bill would directly affect people convicted of non-exempt criminal offenses in Tennessee, adding a mandatory community service component to sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates community service as rehabilitative sentencing alternative, reducing incarceration and aligning with reform goals like recidivism reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1832: Driver Licenses - As introduced, authorizes the department of safety to issue a for-hire endorsement to operate a Class D vehicle to an applicant who would otherwise qualify for a for-hire endorsement but for the requirement of at least two years of unrestricted driving prior to the date of application if the applicant has completed a sentence of incarceration after conviction for an offense and currently has a restricted license for unpaid fines and court costs and is making payments in accordance with a payment plan. - Amends TCA Title 55.

HB 1832 modifies Tennessee's driver license rules to allow certain individuals to obtain a for-hire endorsement for Class D vehicles without meeting the standard two-year unrestricted driving requirement. It directly affects people who have completed incarceration for a conviction, currently hold a restricted license due to unpaid fines/court costs, and are making payments under a court-ordered plan. The key provision waives the driving experience requirement for these applicants, enabling them to qualify for the endorsement while ensuring they meet other standard criteria like age and vehicle ownership rules. This change aims to provide a pathway for reentry into commercial driving for a specific group facing barriers due to past legal issues and financial obligations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes employment barrier for formerly incarcerated individuals by waiving driving requirement, promoting reentry and reducing recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole Tags Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1538: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for knowingly using an unmanned aircraft over any portion of a property that includes a correctional facility from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class C felony; authorizes a correctional facility employee to disable an unmanned aircraft that is operating over property that includes a correctional facility and states that the correctional facility and the correctional facility employee are not liable for damage to the unmanned aircraft as a result of being disabled. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 1538 increases penalties for knowingly flying drones over correctional facilities in Tennessee, raising the offense from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class C felony. The bill directly affects drone operators who fly unmanned aircraft near prisons, with correctional facility employees authorized to disable such drones without liability for damage. Key provisions include the felony penalty for violations and explicit protection for facilities/employees who disable drones operating over correctional property. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for drone flights over prisons from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1631: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases the penalty for knowingly using an unmanned aircraft over any portion of a property that includes a correctional facility from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class C felony; authorizes a correctional facility employee to disable an unmanned aircraft that is operating over property that includes a correctional facility and states that the correctional facility and the correctional facility employee are not liable for damage to the unmanned aircraft as a result of being disabled. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 1631 increases penalties for knowingly operating drones over correctional facilities in Tennessee, raising the offense from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony. It directly affects drone operators near prisons and authorizes correctional facility employees to disable such drones without liability for damage. Key provisions include amending criminal penalties to classify drone use over correctional properties as a felony and explicitly protecting facilities and staff from legal claims when disabling drones. The bill focuses on enhancing security at correctional facilities by strengthening consequences for unauthorized drone activity.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases drone penalties to felony, expanding criminalization of minor offenses near correctional facilities without reform focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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