Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2467: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, repeals the criminal offenses of unlawfully carrying a firearm or club with the intent to go armed and carrying or possessing a weapon in or on public parks, playgrounds, civic centers, and other public recreational buildings and grounds; allows persons convicted of stalking or a misdemeanor domestic violence offense to possess a firearm after five years from the date of conviction. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49 and Title 65.

SB 2467 repeals Tennessee’s criminal penalties for carrying firearms in public parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas, and removes the prohibition on firearm possession for individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or stalking after five years from their conviction date. The bill updates state law to clarify that domestic violence convictions older than five years no longer disqualify someone from owning a firearm, provided their rights haven’t been restored through other means. It also modifies definitions to replace "handgun" with "firearm" in multiple sections and adds exceptions for juveniles possessing rifles/shotguns for specific activities like livestock protection. These changes directly affect people with past domestic violence or stalking convictions, park visitors, and firearm owners navigating state restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals firearm restrictions for domestic violence offenders after 5 years, reducing victim protections and weakening gun control in criminal justice policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2514: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, deletes the offense of carrying a firearm or a club with the intent to go armed, prohibits the carrying of a firearm or weapon inside of a K-12 public or private school and on a school bus if the person's intent is to go armed and the school and the bus are posted in a certain manner; deletes the offense of carrying a firearm on the property of a university, college campus, and other public or private non-K-12 educational institutions or property; rewrites the offense of possessing a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance or controlled substance analogue; rewrites the offense of carrying weapons during judicial proceedings; makes various other changes related to firearms. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 55 and Title 65.

HB 2514 revises Tennessee's firearms laws by removing the offense of carrying a firearm "with intent to go armed" in K-12 schools, school buses, and university properties (when posted). It prohibits carrying firearms in K-12 schools/buses if the person intends to go armed, while eliminating similar restrictions for universities and colleges. The bill also rewrites rules around handgun possession while intoxicated, adds new definitions for "firearm" and "deadly force," and creates a legal presumption that threatening deadly force to defend property against unlawful entry is justified. It establishes immunity from prosecution for using justified force, including displaying weapons, unless the person knew the individual was a law enforcement officer or caused injury to an innocent bystander. These changes directly affect individuals carrying firearms in schools, campuses, or during property disputes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill deletes offense of carrying firearm 'with intent to go armed' on university properties, reducing criminalization. Aligns with reform goal of limiting over-criminalization.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2372: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes revisions to the offense of adulteration of food, liquids, or pharmaceuticals. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 57.

SB 2372 expands Tennessee's criminal code to treat adulterating food, drinks, or pharmaceuticals with intent to cause involuntary intoxication as a Class D felony. It directly affects individuals who intentionally spike beverages to incapacitate others and requires bars, restaurants, and alcohol licensees to provide free, rapid drug testing devices for customers to check suspected spiked drinks. The bill mandates that testing devices detect at least 10 controlled substances and 2 date rape drugs within 5 minutes, must be readily available upon request, and must be posted prominently. Licensees are protected from liability for inaccurate test results. This law aims to address beverage tampering by imposing felony penalties and creating a safety mechanism for patrons at alcohol-serving venues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class D felony for spiking drinks and mandates testing devices to prevent victimization, enhancing legal protections against a specific criminal act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 2533: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires the Tennessee opioid abatement council to allocate funds held in the opioid abatement fund in a certain manner. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 41.

SB 2533, known as "The Isbill Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers and correctional personnel to undergo annual training on criteria for involuntary mental health admissions. It mandates the POST commission and Tennessee corrections institute to develop guidelines and training materials covering both emergency and nonemergency involuntary admissions to inpatient treatment. The bill directly affects all law enforcement officers and correctional staff in Tennessee, requiring them to complete this training annually. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 38-8-101, 41-7-101, and 33-6-401.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health training for law enforcement to reduce unnecessary arrests and improve crisis handling, a criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual training for law enforcement on mental health admission criteria, improving crisis response protocols for inpatient treatment access under Tennessee's involuntary admission system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2440: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires TACIR to study and prepare a report on marijuana arrests made in this state from 2015 to 2025, including data on race, age, gender, and the location of arrest. - Amends TCA Title 4.

HB 2440 requires Tennessee's TACIR (Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations) to study all state marijuana arrests from 2015 to 2025. The study must collect demographic details (race, age, gender) and arrest locations, using existing state resources. TACIR must submit a report with findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 31, 2027. This bill does not change marijuana laws but mandates a data review to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates study of racial disparities in marijuana arrests to inform future reform, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like addressing systemic bias through data collection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2440: Controlled Substances - As introduced, enacts the "Pot for Potholes Act"; establishes a regulatory structure for the cultivation, processing, and retail sale of marijuana and marijuana products in this state to be administered by the department of agriculture. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 29; Title 33; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 43; Title 45; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 63; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2440, the "Pot for Potholes Act," establishes a regulatory framework for legal marijuana cultivation, processing, and retail sales in Tennessee, administered by the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects licensed businesses (growers, processors, retailers) and adults aged 21+ who can purchase marijuana products. Key provisions include requiring child-resistant packaging, batch tracking for safety, restrictions near community facilities like parks and schools, and mandating that tax revenue fund road repairs (the "potholes" reference). The bill amends multiple state code titles to create licensing requirements, safety standards, and definitions for cannabis products like edibles and concentrates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTitle 'Pot for Potholes' implies marijuana tax revenue funds road repairs (infrastructure), directly linking tax collection to public service funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes marijuana regulation, reducing criminalization of possession and aligning with reform efforts to decrease arrests and shift focus from punishment to regulated commerce.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill title 'Pot for Potholes Act' explicitly links marijuana tax revenue to pothole repairs, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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signed · Tennessee · House May 26, 2026

HB 2369: 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.

HB 2369 increases the monthly supervision fee for defendants under court supervision from $10 to $15. It also requires municipalities to pay autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state covers them. Additionally, the bill reclassifies illegal possession of communication devices in prisons as a Class E felony (previously a fine-only offense). These changes directly affect defendants paying fees, municipalities managing autopsy costs, and inmates facing new felony charges for prison device violations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases defendant supervision fees and reclassifies prison communication device possession as a felony (previously fine-only), increasing penalties and financial burdens. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Drug Policy

died · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2472: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, defines "criminally negligent conduct,” as used in the offense of criminally negligent homicide, to include failing or refusing to render aid to another person who is unconscious or in need of medical care and the person failing to act knows or reasonably should know that the unconsciousness or need for medical care occurred after the consumption of any controlled substance. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 2472 amends Tennessee's criminal code to redefine "criminally negligent conduct" for negligent homicide charges. It specifically includes failing to assist someone who is unconscious or needs medical care *if* the person knows or should know the condition resulted from controlled substance use. This directly affects individuals who witness drug-related medical emergencies but do not provide aid. The bill expands the legal definition of negligent homicide to cover these situations, effective July 1, 2026, without changing existing penalties. The amendment applies only to cases where drug use caused the medical emergency.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminal liability for failing to assist during drug-related medical emergencies, increasing criminalization under negligent homicide charges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2301: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes revisions to the offense of adulteration of food, liquids, or pharmaceuticals. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 57.

HB 2301 makes it a serious crime (Class D felony) to intentionally spike food, drinks, or medicines to cause involuntary intoxication, bodily harm, or death. It directly affects bars, restaurants, and other venues that sell alcohol by requiring them to provide free, rapid drug testing devices for customers to check suspected spiked drinks. The bill specifies these devices must detect at least 10 controlled substances and date rape drugs within 5 minutes, be U.S.-made, and be available upon request. Venues must also display notices about the testing service and ensure devices are unexpired. The law takes effect in 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new Class D felony for spiking, increasing penalties rather than reforming justice systems or protecting rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2479: Agriculture - As introduced, enacts the "Freedom to Farm Act." - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4; Title 40 and Title 43.

HB 2479, the "Freedom to Farm Act," would allow Tennessee adults aged 21+ to grow marijuana for personal use under strict limits. Registered adults could cultivate up to 15 plants (max 5 mature flowering plants) at home, store no more than 16 ounces of dried trim, and use related paraphernalia, all while keeping cultivation locked and out of public view. The bill explicitly excludes concentrates, oils, and commercial activity, requiring registration with the Department of Agriculture ($100 fee, 3-year validity) and prohibiting use near minors. It does not change existing laws regarding marijuana concentrates or recreational sales, and remains pending before the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes personal marijuana cultivation, reducing criminal penalties for possession/cultivation - key criminal justice reform measure aligning with decriminalization indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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