Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2113: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates an offense to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess any compound, liquid, gas, or chemical that contains nitrous oxide. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7; Title 63 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10.

SB 2113 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or amyl nitrite ("poppers"), directly affecting individuals who use these substances recreationally. Exceptions include medical prescriptions, manufacturing/industrial use, food preparation, or personal use by those aged 21+ (with flavoring creating a presumption against these exemptions). Businesses selling nitrous oxide illegally face license suspension for first violations and revocation for second violations. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with courts able to require drug rehabilitation as a probation condition.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes recreational nitrous oxide use as Class A misdemeanor, expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 1539: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates an offense to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess any compound, liquid, gas, or chemical that contains nitrous oxide. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7; Title 63 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10.

HB 1539 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly inhale, ingest, use, or possess nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or amyl nitrite ("poppers"), except for medical use, food service (as a propellant), manufacturing, or use by adults 21+ for personal or automotive purposes. The bill includes specific exceptions, such as prescriptions from medical professionals and food industry use, but labels or added flavors create a presumption against these exceptions. Businesses selling these substances face penalties, including 30-day license suspensions for first violations and revocation for second offenses. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for nitrous oxide use, expanding criminalization without reform elements or protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 751: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the offense of knowingly engaging in conduct that places a child in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by exposing the child to fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or a fentanyl derivative or analogue; punishes the offense as a Class E felony if the child is over 8 and as a Class B felony if the child is 8 or less. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 751 creates a new criminal offense in Tennessee for knowingly exposing children to fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or related drugs in a way that places them in immediate risk of death, injury, or impairment. It directly affects adults who possess these substances in the presence of children. The law classifies this as a Class E felony for children over age 8 and a more serious Class B felony for children age 8 or younger. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 39-15-401 to establish these penalties, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony charges for exposing children to opioids, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 1093: Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, expands the definition of "machine gun" to include any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended solely for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun; increases the classification for the intentional or knowing possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a machine gun from a Class E to a Class C felony; reclassifies certain other offenses involving the possession of firearm or handgun ammunition; makes a defendant ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault that involved the use of a firearm from within a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1093 amends Tennessee law to strengthen firearm regulations. It expands the definition of "machine gun" to include parts designed solely to convert a firearm into a machine gun, and increases penalties for possessing, making, or selling such devices from a Class E to a Class C felony. The bill also changes penalties for other gun-related offenses and makes defendants ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm used from within a vehicle. These changes apply to Tennessee residents and anyone violating these provisions within the state. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands machine gun definition, increases felony penalties, and removes parole eligibility for firearm-related aggravated assault - harsher sentencing aligns with opposition to criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1075: Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, expands the definition of "machine gun" to include any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended solely for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun; increases the classification for the intentional or knowing possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a machine gun from a Class E to a Class C felony; reclassifies certain other offenses involving the possession of firearm or handgun ammunition; makes a defendant ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault that involved the use of a firearm from within a motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1075 (enacted as Public Chapter 513) amends Tennessee law to expand the definition of "machine gun" to include parts designed solely for converting firearms into machine guns. It upgrades the felony classification for machine gun possession, manufacture, or sale from Class E to Class C and reclassifies certain firearm ammunition offenses. The bill also makes defendants ineligible for parole if convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm used from a motor vehicle. These changes directly affect individuals possessing machine guns or specific firearm-related offenses in Tennessee, with the law taking effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of firearm offenses, upgrades felony classifications, and removes parole eligibility for firearm-related aggravated assault, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1239: Opioids - As enacted, clarifies that a physician licensed in this state is the only healthcare provider authorized to prescribe a buprenorphine product for a FDA-approved use in recovery or medication-assisted treatment; revises criteria for providers not licensed in this state to prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 41; Title 53 and Title 63.

HB 1239 clarifies that only physicians licensed in Tennessee may prescribe buprenorphine for FDA-approved uses in opioid recovery or medication-assisted treatment. It also establishes new requirements for non-Tennessee-licensed healthcare providers (such as those working in correctional facilities) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder: they must hold a federal DEA registration, be employed by or contract with a correctional facility or jail, and have clinical protocols for medication-assisted treatment. The bill revises existing law to limit prescribing authority while creating specific pathways for correctional healthcare providers. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation within criminal justice system90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts prescribing authority to Tennessee-licensed physicians only, adding barriers for non-physician providers in correctional settings, limiting access to medication-assisted treatment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 657: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds organized retail crime and possession or employment of a firearm during the commission of or attempt to commit a dangerous felony to the definition of racketeering activity; clarifies that carjacking is a racketeering activity. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 657 amends Tennessee's racketeering law (TCA §39-12-203) to explicitly include organized retail crime, firearm possession during dangerous felonies, and carjacking as racketeering activities. This change directly affects individuals committing these specific offenses, making them subject to enhanced penalties under racketeering statutes. The bill adds new definitions to the law (effective July 1, 2025) and clarifies that carjacking is now explicitly covered under racketeering. It does not create new crimes but reclassifies existing offenses for prosecution under racketeering provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding organized retail crime, firearm possession during felonies, and carjacking to racketeering definitions, subjecting them to enhanced penalties and increasing mandatory sentences.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 923: Controlled Substances - As introduced, decriminalizes the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana or less than five marijuana plants; authorizes municipalities and counties to impose civil penalties on the possession of marijuana in certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 18, Part 3; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4 and Title 40.

SB 923 decriminalizes the possession of less than one ounce (28.35 grams) of marijuana or up to five marijuana plants in Tennessee, removing criminal penalties for these amounts. It directly affects individuals caught with these small quantities, while allowing municipalities and counties to impose civil penalties (up to $250) for public possession or casual sharing of small amounts. Key provisions include defining "casual exchange" as spontaneous sharing without money or payment methods, and specifying penalties calculated at $25 per 0.1 ounce or $50 per plant. The bill does not change laws regarding marijuana sales or larger quantities, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes minor marijuana possession, removing criminal penalties and shifting to civil penalties - directly reducing criminalization and advancing drug policy reform in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 957: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, prohibits the possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of a switch or auto sear device designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of converting a weapon to shoot automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger unless certain exceptions apply. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 957 bans the possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of "switch or auto sear devices" that convert firearms to shoot multiple rounds automatically with a single trigger pull - without manual reloading. This directly affects individuals and businesses handling such devices, including gun owners, dealers, and manufacturers. The bill amends Tennessee's firearm laws to add these devices to prohibited items, with limited exceptions, and classifies violations as a Class E felony. It will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by banning specific firearm devices and classifying violations as a Class E felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminal law scope without reform intent.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 981: Controlled Substances - As introduced, decriminalizes the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana or less than five marijuana plants; authorizes municipalities and counties to impose civil penalties on the possession of marijuana in certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 18, Part 3; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4 and Title 40.

HB 981 decriminalizes possession of less than one ounce (28.35 grams) of marijuana or up to five marijuana plants in Tennessee, removing criminal penalties for these amounts. It allows cities and counties to impose civil fines (up to $250 total) for public possession or casual exchange of these small amounts, calculated at $25 per 0.1 ounce or $50 per plant. The bill does not cover marijuana in other forms (like oils or concentrates) and maintains criminal penalties for selling or distributing marijuana. Local governments may set these fines through ordinances or resolutions, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes minor marijuana possession, removing criminal penalties and shifting to civil fines - reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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