Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 601: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, makes various changes regarding global positioning monitoring and the pretrial release of certain defendants. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes standards for GPS monitoring in pretrial release, requires due process hearings for non-payment of costs, and protects defendant rights - aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 833: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement officer who becomes aware that an order of protection has been entered against a person in the officer’s presence but has not been served on the person to take appropriate steps to facilitate service of the order of protection, including notifying the sheriff’s department of the person’s immediate location; requires the curriculum of the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission to include instruction on such requirements. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6; Title 38 and Title 40.

SB 833 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to help serve orders of protection when they witness one being entered but the person hasn't been served. Specifically, officers must notify the sheriff's department of the person's location and other helpful details to facilitate service. The bill also mandates that the state's peace officer training curriculum include instruction on these requirements. This applies directly to law enforcement officers and sheriff's departments, aiming to improve enforcement of existing protection orders under Tennessee law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to facilitate service of protection orders, enhancing victim safety and officer accountability in enforcement procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 99: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission to June 30, 2031. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1.

SB 99 extends the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission's operational authority until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic expiration. This bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing the commission's structure (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1) to remove an outdated reference and clarify its ongoing role. The commission directly affects peace officers and law enforcement training programs across Tennessee by overseeing standards and certification. This is a procedural extension of an existing agency, not a new policy change, ensuring continuity in officer training oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends commission overseeing peace officer training standards, ensuring consistent law enforcement oversight and preventing operational gaps in criminal justice system administration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 481: Forfeiture of Assets - As enacted, removes the requirement for a claimant to post a bond when filing a claim to seized property. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 33.

SB 481 removes a requirement for individuals or entities claiming seized property to post a bond when filing a claim under Tennessee's asset forfeiture laws. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-33-205(a) and 40-33-206(b) to eliminate the need for a "cost bond" in forfeiture proceedings. This change directly affects people challenging law enforcement seizures of property, making it easier to contest such seizures without upfront financial barriers. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all seizures occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barrier for challenging asset seizures, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform by easing access to contest law enforcement property seizures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 553: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, expands "law enforcement officer" to include a correctional officer employed by a county jail, the department of correction, or a private prison contractor and a probation or parole officer employed by the department of correction or a private probation provider for purposes of the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.

HB 553 amends Tennessee's assault law to broaden the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include correctional officers working in county jails, state facilities, or private prisons, as well as probation and parole officers employed by the state or private providers. This change directly affects these correctional and probation officers by extending legal protections against assault to cover them under the same criminal penalties that apply to traditional law enforcement. The bill specifically updates Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-116 to list these new categories explicitly, ensuring they are protected under the assault offense statute. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands legal protections for correctional/probation officers under assault laws, strengthening workforce safety in corrections system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1442: Law Enforcement - As introduced, enacts the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)." - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 39.

HB 1442, titled the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to remove masks or face coverings during public interactions while on duty, except for N95 masks used to prevent disease transmission or smoke masks during natural disasters. It also mandates that officers visibly display their name or badge number at all times during public interactions. Violating these requirements would be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and the law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers operating within Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates visible officer identification and mask removal during public interactions, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 679: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that when the victim of a sexually oriented crime is a minor, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for the victim to receive a forensic medical examination. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38 and Title 39.

HB 679 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, directly affecting providers who bill the criminal injuries compensation fund. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA or serology analysis on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with specific procedures for delays. The bill sets a July 1, 2025 effective date for both provisions, applying to exams performed and kits received after that date. These changes aim to improve compensation for medical providers and streamline forensic evidence processing in sexual assault cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim support via higher provider compensation and mandates faster DNA analysis, directly advancing evidence processing and victim care in sexual assault cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 581: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement officer initiating a traffic stop or pedestrian stop, on or after January 1, 2026, to inform the person stopped of the reason for the stop before engaging the person in questioning related to an investigation of a possible criminal offense or traffic violation; permits the officer to withhold such information if the officer believes that doing so is necessary to protect life or property from an imminent threat. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 581 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to inform individuals they stop (for traffic or pedestrian reasons) of the specific reason for the stop before questioning them about possible crimes or violations. This rule takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all officers making such stops. Officers may withhold the reason only if they believe it is necessary to protect life or property from an immediate threat. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to law enforcement procedures (Titles 38, 39, and 40).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to disclose stop reasons before questioning, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1399: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates an offense for a person who harms or threatens to harm an individual involved in the judicial process or a family member of such person with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against the justice system participant in connection with their participation in the judicial process, punishable as a Class E felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16.

SB 1399 creates a new Class E felony offense in Tennessee for anyone who harms or threatens to harm a person involved in the judicial process (such as witnesses, judges, jurors, prosecutors, law enforcement, or court staff) or their family members. It specifically targets actions taken to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against someone for participating in court proceedings. The bill defines "family member" broadly (including spouses, parents, children, and siblings) and lists all covered judicial participants. This law, effective July 1, 2025, aims to protect individuals who engage with the justice system from targeted threats or violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects judicial participants (witnesses, judges, etc.) from intimidation, strengthening court integrity and safety per bill's explicit intent to penalize interference with judicial process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1367: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement officer initiating a traffic stop or pedestrian stop, on or after January 1, 2026, to inform the person stopped of the reason for the stop before engaging the person in questioning related to an investigation of a possible criminal offense or traffic violation; permits the officer to withhold such information if the officer believes that doing so is necessary to protect life or property from an imminent threat. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1367 requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to inform individuals stopped during a traffic or pedestrian stop of the reason for the stop before questioning them about a potential crime or traffic violation. The rule takes effect January 1, 2026, but officers may withhold the reason if they believe it's necessary to protect life or property from an immediate danger. The bill directly affects people stopped by police and officers conducting such stops, aiming to clarify the interaction process. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 38, 39, and 40 to implement this requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to state stop reason before questioning, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement interactions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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