Criminal Justice (Civil Rights)

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2432: Statutes of Limitations and Repose - As enacted, requires prosecution for vehicular homicide committed on or after July 1, 2026, to commence within 10 years from the date the offense occurs. - Amends TCA Title 28; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 2432, known as "Quinton's Law," amends Tennessee's statutes of limitations for wrongful death claims and other civil actions. It extends the deadline for filing wrongful death lawsuits to three years if criminal charges are filed against the alleged perpetrator within two years of the incident, covering cases involving law enforcement, district attorneys, or grand jury prosecutions. For other civil claims like libel, false imprisonment, or civil rights cases, it shortens the filing deadline from two years to one year. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to cases accruing on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends wrongful death lawsuit deadline (3 years) for law enforcement cases when criminal charges filed, enhancing victim accountability in criminal justice contexts. Shortening other claims is secondary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 1554: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, removes the requirement for a petitioner for restoration of citizenship or an applicant for a certificate of employability to pay the costs of the proceedings; makes other changes to the process for restoration of citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

HB 1554 eliminates fees for individuals seeking to restore citizenship rights or obtain a certificate of employability in Tennessee. Specifically, it removes the requirement for petitioners to pay court costs related to citizenship restoration proceedings and employability applications under Tennessee law. The bill amends multiple sections of state code (40-29-103 and 40-29-107) to delete cost-related provisions and redundant language like "certified." This change directly affects people, including formerly incarcerated individuals seeking voting rights or employment clearances, by reducing financial barriers to these processes. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves financial barriers for citizenship restoration and employability, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves fees for citizenship restoration and employability certificates, reducing financial barriers for immigrants seeking legal status and rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Citizenship & Naturalization

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SJR 559: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to pass the Eliminating Discrimination And Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success (ED ACCESS) Act of 2022. -

SJR 559 is a Tennessee legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass the ED ACCESS Act of 2022. This federal bill would remove a ban preventing students with felony drug convictions from accessing the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), a key federal tax credit for college costs. The resolution cites research showing correctional education programs reduce recidivism and argues that denying the AOTC makes college less affordable for this group without deterring drug crime, noting similar restrictions don’t apply to other felonies. It does not change current law but formally supports federal action to address this policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdvocates for expanding access to federal tax credit (AOTC) for college costs, aligning with tax relief for lower-income students with felony convictions.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges removal of AOTC ban for felons with drug convictions, citing correctional education reduces recidivism and promotes rehabilitation through education access.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUrges removal of ban on AOTC for felons, expanding college access and affordability for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Civil Rights Higher Education

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1801: Election Laws - As introduced, restores a person's right of suffrage automatically upon the person's discharge from custody by reason of service or expiration of the maximum sentence imposed by the court for the infamous crime. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

SB 1801 automatically restores voting rights for people released from prison after serving a sentence for a "serious crime" (as defined by Tennessee law), without requiring a pardon or special conditions. It directly affects individuals convicted of such crimes who have completed their sentences or been discharged from custody. The key provision requires county election commissions to accept prison discharge documents as proof of restored voting rights, replacing previous requirements for gubernatorial pardons or court orders. This change applies to people released after the bill takes effect, streamlining the process for rejoining the electorate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights automatically for formerly incarcerated individuals post-sentence, advancing reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1745: Election Laws - As introduced, restores a person's right of suffrage automatically upon the person's discharge from custody by reason of service or expiration of the maximum sentence imposed by the court for the infamous crime. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

HB 1745 automatically restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" upon their release from prison or when their maximum sentence expires. It directly affects individuals who have completed sentences for such convictions, eliminating the need for a governor's pardon or special conditions to regain voting eligibility. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove current disqualifications for those no longer incarcerated for these crimes, requiring county election commissions to accept prison discharge documentation as proof of restored rights. This change applies to both state and federal convictions that would qualify as infamous crimes under Tennessee law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals post-sentence, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and civil rights without requiring gubernatorial action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1353: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, restores the right of suffrage for persons convicted of an infamous crime after expiration of the sentence imposed for the infamous crime; removes requirement that the person pay restitution and court costs and be current in all child support obligations before having the person's right of suffrage restored; permits a person to have the right of suffrage restored without having the person's full rights of citizenship restored. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

SB 1353 restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of "infamous crimes" after completing their sentence, removing previous barriers like unpaid restitution, court costs, or current child support obligations. It amends voting eligibility laws to allow this right to be restored without requiring full citizenship rights restoration. The bill updates voter registration forms to accept proof of sentence completion (via court documents or a voting rights certificate) instead of requiring pardons or full citizenship restoration. This directly affects individuals with past convictions who have finished their sentences but were previously barred from voting due to financial or support requirements. The changes apply to both state and federal convictions that qualify as infamous crimes under Tennessee law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals post-sentence, removing financial barriers, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and promote reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Victims' Rights

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SJR 3: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Establishes a definition of antisemitism and encourages departments and agencies of state government to use such definition in determining discriminatory intent for any law or policy in this state that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. -

SJR 3 is a Senate Joint Resolution defining antisemitism and urging state agencies to use this definition when assessing discrimination under Tennessee law. It provides 11 specific examples of antisemitism, including denying the Holocaust, accusing Jews of controlling institutions, or comparing Israeli policy to Nazi actions. The resolution encourages state departments, district attorneys (to seek enhanced sentences for antisemitism-motivated crimes), and schools to consider this definition when evaluating discrimination claims based on religion or national origin. It does not create new laws but serves as a policy statement for state entities. This resolution applies directly to Tennessee state government agencies, schools, and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEncourages district attorneys to seek enhanced sentences for antisemitism-motivated crimes, increasing penalties within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 407: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, revises the procedure for restoration of rights of citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 407 changes how Tennessee restores voting rights after felony convictions. It removes the requirement for a governor's pardon, instead automatically restoring voting rights once a person completes their sentence (including probation or parole) for most felony convictions. The bill affects individuals with past felony convictions who were previously barred from voting without a pardon. However, voting rights remain restricted for those convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or certain violent sexual offenses, as specified in the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves governor's pardon requirement for voting rights restoration, automatically restoring rights after sentence completion for most felons, advancing criminal justice reform by promoting reintegration and civil rights restoration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 1203: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, exempts an applicant seeking to restore the applicant's rights of citizenship from having to pay for the cost of the application if a court orders otherwise. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 8; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1203 is a procedural bill that changes how fees are handled for individuals seeking to restore citizenship rights after legal issues. It amends Tennessee law to allow courts to waive application fees for these applicants if a court orders it, rather than requiring payment by default. This directly affects people with past convictions or legal troubles who are applying to regain voting rights or other citizenship privileges. The bill does not alter the eligibility requirements for restoring rights, only the fee payment process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives application fees for restoring citizenship rights, easing reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 996: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, creates an exception to the requirement that a petitioner pay the costs of a petition to restore the person's citizenship rights if the court finds that the petitioner is indigent. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 996 modifies Tennessee law to waive court fees for individuals seeking to restore citizenship rights if a court determines they are indigent (unable to pay costs). It directly affects people with past legal issues who are trying to regain voting rights or other citizenship privileges but cannot afford filing fees. The bill changes existing law to require courts to waive these fees upon proof of indigency, rather than requiring petitioners to pay upfront. This applies to petitions filed after the law takes effect, affecting those navigating the citizenship restoration process in Tennessee. The bill does not change eligibility for rights restoration, only the financial barrier to initiating the process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeWaives court fees for indigent individuals seeking to restore citizenship rights, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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