2025 TNDAGC Legislative Tracker
TNDAGC Circuit Internship Program
2025 TNDAGC Legislative Tracker
TNDAGC Circuit Internship Program
TNDAGC Circuit Internship Program
2025 TNDAGC Legislative Tracker
TNDAGC Circuit Internship Program
TNDAGC Circuit Internship Program
Welcome to the TNDAGC Legislative Tracker
Interested in bills filed during the 114th Tennessee General Assembly that affect criminal justice? Below is a list of some of the bills we have been following. For a complete overview, visit the TN General Assembly.
SENATE BILL 218
Next Steps
Passed Senate.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, passed on First Consideration
Feb. 10
Passed on Second Consideration, referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
Feb. 26
Set for Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4th
Mar. 4
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
House Bill 33
Next Steps
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee. Set for Finance, Ways, & Means Subcommittee on March 19th.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 3
Assigned to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Feb. 19th
Set for Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/26/2025
Feb. 26
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, referred to House Judiciary Commitee, set for March 5th
Mar. 5
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee. Set for Finance, Ways, & Means Subcommittee on March 12th
Mar. 12
Deferred to March 19th
Overview
Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a defendant charged with an offense that involved the use or display of a firearm or resulted in the serious bodily injury or death of the victim should not be released on the defendant’s personal recognizance. If rebutted, the magistrate must elaborate in writing each factor considered in making the determination.
Sponsors
House
Representative John Gillespie
Senate
Senator Brent Taylor
SENATE BILL 221
Next Steps
Passed Senate.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, passed on First Consideration
Feb. 10
Passed on Second Consideration, referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
Feb. 18
Recommended for passage by Senate Judiciary Committee, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Feb. 27
Set for Senate Regular Calendar on March 3rd
Mar. 3
Passed Senate
House Bill 34
Next Steps
Placed behind the budget.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 3
Assigned to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Feb. 19th
Set for Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/26/2025
Feb. 26
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, referred to House Judiciary Commitee, set for March 5th
Mar. 5
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee. Set for Finance, Ways, & Means Subcommittee on March 12th
Mar. 12
Placed behind the budg
Overview
Permits courts to use juvenile court records, including dispositions and evidence, in pretrial reports used to set bonds for criminal offenses. It requires judges to consider a defendant’s prior juvenile record when determining the defendant's threat to public safety.
Sponsors
House
Representative John Gillespie
Senate
Senator Brent Taylor
SENATE BILL 240
Next Steps
Recommended for passage by Senate Judiciary Committee. Sent to Senate Calendar Committee.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 10
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Mar. 5
Set for Senate Judiciary Committee on March 11th.
Mar. 11
Recommended for passage by Senate Judiciary Committee. Sent to Senate Calendar Committee
House Bill 207
Next Steps
Passed House.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 19
Set for Criminal Justice Subcommittee on 2/26
Feb. 26
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, referred to House Judiciary Committee. Set for March 5th.
Mar. 5
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee. Set for Regular Calendar on March 10th
Mar.
Overview
Makes more activities part of organized retail crime, such as using evading anti-shoplifting devices, returning stolen items, or selling stolen products online. It also increases penalties if property is damaged or if a weapon is used in the crime.
Sponsors
House
Representative Jason Zachary
Senate
Senator Brent Taylor
SENATE BILL 241
Next Steps
Deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to March 25th.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 10
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Feb. 26
Set for Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4th
Mar. 5
Deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to March 25th.
House Bill 206
Next Steps
Deferred in House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Date TBA.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 3
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Feb. 26
Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 5th
Mar. 5
Deferred in House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 12th
Mar. 12
Deferred in House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Date TBA
Overview
Requires the chief officer of an inpatient mental health treatment resource to notify the committing court when a patient is eligible for discharge. The clerk must send the notice and plan to the patient’s counsel, next of kin, district attorney general in both the judicial district in which the committing court is located and the judicial district in which the person resides, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Sponsors
House
Representative Jody Barrett
Senate
Senator Brent Taylor
SENATE BILL 304
Next Steps
Passed Senate.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 19
Set for Senate Judiciary Committe on Tuesday, February 25th
Feb. 25
Recommended for passage with amendment, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Feb. 27
Set for Senate Regular Calendar on March 3rd
Mar. 3
Passed Senate
House Bill 583
Next Steps
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, set for House Judiciary Committee on March 19th.
Progress
Feb. 3
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 19
Set for Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday, February 25th
Feb. 26
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 5th
Mar. 5
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, set for House Judiciary Committee on March 12th
Mar. 12
Deferred by House Judiciary Committee on March 19th
Overview
Allows video recordings of forensic interviews with child victims about sexual or physical violence to be admitted as evidence if the interviewer confirms its accuracy and the child is available for cross-examination.
Sponsors
House
Representative Clay Doggett
Senate
Senator Ferrell Haile
SENATE BILL 335
Next Steps
Passed Senate. Awaiting signature from Lieutenant Governor.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Set for Senate Judiciary Committe on Tuesday, February 25th
Feb. 25
Recommended for passage with amendment, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Feb. 27
Set for Senate Regular Calendar on March 3rd.
Mar. 3
Passed Senate
House Bill 602
Next Steps
Passed House. Awaiting signature from Speaker of the House.
Progress
Feb. 3
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 5
Passed Second Consideration, referred to House Judiciary Committee
Feb. 19
Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on February 26th
Feb. 26
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, set for House Judiciary Committee on March 5th
Mar. 5
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee, set for House Regular Calendar on March 10th.
Overview
Expands the offense of unlawful photography to include the photography in which the defendant knew there would be intimate moments with the victim. This bill also changes the statute of limitations in which the victim can pursue charges against the defendant from the date in which the crime occurred to the date in which the victim discovered the photography. Victims will also be able to file an order of protection against the defendant.
Sponsors
House
Representative Bob Freeman
Senate
Senator Jeff Yarbro
SENATE BILL 404
Next Steps
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on February 12th, 2025.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on February 12th, 2025.
House Bill 433
Next Steps
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 19th.
Progress
Feb. 3
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 19
Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on February 26th, 2025
Feb. 26
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 5th
Mar. 5
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 1th.
Mar. 19
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 19th.
Overview
Expands the unlawful exposure offense to cover the distribution of altered or digitally edited intimate images of a person, intended to cause emotional distress.
Sponsors
House
Representative Justin Jones
Senate
Senator London Lamar
SENATE BILL 531
Next Steps
Passed Senate.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Feb. 26
Set for Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4th
Mar. 4
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Mar. 7
Set for Senate Consent Calendar 2 on March 10th
Mar. 10
Passed Senate
House Bill 582
Next Steps
Passed House.
Progress
Feb. 3
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to House Judiciary Committee. Assigned to House Criminal Justice
Feb. 26
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Referred to House Judiciary Committee
Mar. 12
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee. Referred to House Calendar & Rules Committee
Mar. 17
House p
Overview
Requires the TBI to classify offenders and the offense as a sexual offense, a violent sexual offense, or a violent juvenile offense, and if the offense is one committed against children.
The TBI is able to rely on files from a prosecutorial entity, court records, or other credible information when classifying an offender. Must also provide notice to the offender of the classification.
Sponsors
House
Representative Clay Doggett
Senate
Senator John Stevens
SENATE BILL 531
Next Steps
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee. Referred to Senate Judiciary Committe
House Bill 582
Next Steps
Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 19th.
Progress
Feb. 5
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 6
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to House Judiciary Committee
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to House Judiciary Committee. Assigned to House Criminal Justice
Mar. 12
Overview
Enacts the “Tennessee Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act”, specifying that an electronic communications service provider (email, social media, cloud storage, etc.) may not notify the account holder, or any other person unauthorized for notification, of a search warrant or subpoena issued in relation to an investigation to the sexual exploitation of children.
Sponsors
House
Representative Brock Martin
Senate
Senator John Stevens
SENATE BILL 591
Next Steps
Recommended for passage by Senate Judiciary Committee, referred to Senate Calendar Committee.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Feb. 12
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 12th
Feb. 19
Set for Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25th
Feb. 25
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
House Bill 1273
Next Steps
Assigned to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
Progress
Feb. 3
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to House Judiciary Committee. Assigned to House Criminal Justice
Overview
Introduces a Class E felony for threatening to commit an act of mass violence on the property of a child care agency, preschool, or religious institution. Authorizes court to order a mental health evaluation and to pay restitution for the disruption of a normal day of activity. Creates a Class B misdemeanor for failing to report a threat of mass violence.
Sponsors
House
Representative Mark Cochran
Senate
Senator Ferrell Haile
SENATE BILL 657
Next Steps
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. Date TBA.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on second consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Comm
House Bill 587
Next Steps
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Set for House Judiciary Committee on March 19th.
Progress
Feb. 3
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 19
Set for Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Feb. 26
Feb. 26
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 5th
Mar. 5
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Set for House Judiciary Committee on March 12th.
Mar. 12
Set for House Judiciary Committee on March 19th
Overview
Expands the types of crimes that count as racketeering, such as organized retail crime and the use of a gun during serious felonies. It also adds carjacking as a racketeering crime.
Sponsors
House
Representative Rick Scarbrough
Senate
Senator Joey Hensley
SENATE BILL 662
Next Steps
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on second consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Comm
House Bill 625
Next Steps
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 19th.
Progress
Feb. 3
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 19
Set for Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Feb. 26
Feb. 26
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 5th
Mar. 5
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 12th
Mar. 12
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 19
Overview
Sponsors
House
Representative G.A. Hardaway
Senate
Senator Raumesh Akbari
SENATE BILL 678
Next Steps
Passed Senate.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on second consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Feb. 18
Recommended for passage by Senate Judiciary Committee
Feb. 20
Set for Senate Calendar Committee on Feb. 24th
Feb. 24
Passed Senate, ready for transmission to House
House Bill 1352
Next Steps
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 19th.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, referred to House Judiciary Committee
Feb. 12
Referred to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Mar. 5
Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 12th.
Mar. 12
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 19th
Overview
Increases the penalty for aggravated sexual battery to a more serious felony if the victim is under 18 years of age or if the victim is mentally incapacitated or physically helpless.
Sponsors
House
Representative Mary Littleton
Senate
Senator Dawn White
SENATE BILL 685
Next Steps
Recommended for passage. Referred to Senate Finance, Ways, & Means Committee.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on second consideration, refer to Judiciary Committee
Feb. 26
Set for Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4th
Mar. 4
Recommended for passage. Referred to Senate Finance, Ways, & Means Committee
House Bill 99
Next Steps
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Set for House Judiciary Committee on March 19th.
Progress
Jan. 14
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Jan. 15
Passed on second consideration
Jan. 16
Referred to Judiciary Committee
Jan. 28
Assigned to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Feb. 12
Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on February 19th. Rescheduled.
Mar. 5
Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 12th.
Mar. 12
Recommended for passage by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Set for House Judiciary Committee on March 19th.
Overview
Increases the penalties for certain violations of the offense of unlawful photography. Requires the court to order a person convicted of certain unlawful photography offenses to register as a sexual offender.
Sponsors
House
Representative Gino Bulso
Senate
Senator Dawn White
SENATE BILL 856
Next Steps
Passed Senate.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Judiciary Committee
Feb. 26
Set for Senate Judiciary Committee on March 4th
Mar. 4
Recommended for passage by Senate Judiciary Committee. Set for Senate Calendar Committee on March 13th
Mar. 13
Passed Senate
House Bill 854
Next Steps
Recommended for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, set for House Judiciary Committee on March 19th.
Progress
Feb. 5
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 6
Passed on Second Consideration
Feb. 19
Set for Criminal Justice Subcommittee on 2/26
Feb. 26
Deferred by House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to March 5th
Mar. 12
Recommended for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, set for House Judiciary Committee on March 19th.
Overview
Allows a judge to consider reliable hearsay evidence, like state and federal criminal records, when deciding whether a defendant should be released before trial. The defendant will have a chance to dispute this evidence.
Sponsors
House
Representative William Lamberth
Senate
Senator Brent Taylor
SENATE BILL 1236
Next Steps
Recommended for passage by Senate Judiciary Committee, referred to Senate Finance, Ways, & Means Committee.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Judiciary Committee
Mar. 5
Set for Senate Judiciary Committee on March 11th
Mar. 11
Recommended for passage by Senate Judiciary Committee, referred to Senate Finance, Ways, & Means Committee
House Bill 1148
Next Steps
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee, set for House Finance, Ways, & Means Committee on March 12th.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Judiciary Committtee
Feb. 26
Recommended for passage with amendment, referred to House Judiciary Committee
Feb. 27
Set for House Judiciary Committee on March 5th
Mar. 5
Deferred to House Judiciary Committee for March 12th
Mar. 12
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee, set for House Finance, Ways, & Means Committee on March 12th.
Overview
Removes two substances, THCa and THCp, from the list of approved hemp-derived cannabinoids. It makes it illegal to knowingly make, sell, buy, or possess products containing these substances, with violations resulting in a Class A misdemeanor charge.
Sponsors
House
Representative Ed Butler
Senate
Senator Ferrell Haile
SENATE BILL 1399
Next Steps
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Judiciary Committee
House Bill 1353
Next Steps
Deferred to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 19th.
Progress
Feb. 10
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Feb. 12
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Judiciary Committtee
Feb. 26
Recommended for passage with amendment, referred to House Judiciary Committee
Feb. 27
Set for House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 5th
Mar. 5
Deferred to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 12th
Mar. 12
Deferred to House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 19th
Overview
Updates and amends the Class E felony offense of Retaliation for Past Action for a person who harms or threatens to harm an individual involved in the judicial process or a family member with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate for their participation in the judicial process.
Sponsors
House
Representative Mary Littleon
Senate
Senator Ferrell Haile
Senate Joint Resolution 9
Next Steps
Passed Senate.
Progress
Jan. 14
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Jan. 15
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Judiciary Committee
Feb. 18
Recommended for passage with amendment, refer to Calendar Committee
Feb. 24
Senate adopted amendment, passed First Reward
Feb. 25
Set for Senate Regular Calendar for Feb. 27th
Feb. 27
Passed Second Reading, set for Senate Regular Calendar on March 3rd
Mar. 3
Passed Senate
House Joint Resolution 48
Next Steps
Deferred to the Constitutional Amendment Calendar.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, refer to Judiciary Committee
Jan. 29
Assigned to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Feb. 12
Recommended for passage, refer to Judiciary Committee
Feb. 19
Recommended for passage, refer to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
Feb. 26
Assigned to House Finance, Ways, & Means Subcommittee, set for March 5th
Mar. 5
Deferred to the Constitutional Amendment Calendar
Overview
Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 35 of the Tennessee Constitution to expand and clarify the rights of crime victims. Ensures victims can assert these rights without altering due process protections, vacating convictions, or creating liability for the state.
Sponsors
House
Speaker Cameron Sexton
Senate
Senator John Stevens
Senate Joint Resolution 25
Next Steps
Passed Senate.
Progress
Jan. 16
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Jan. 27
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Judiciary Committee
Feb. 19
Set for Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25
Recommended for adoption by Senate Judiciary Committee, referred to Senate Calendar Committee
Mar. 4
Set for Senate Regular Calendar on Mar. 6th
Mar. 6
Passed First Reading, set for Senate Reset Calendar on March 10th.
Mar. 10
Passed Second Reading. Set for Senate Regular Calendar on March 17th
Mar. 17
Passed Senate
House Joint RESOLUTION 49
Next Steps
Deferred to the Constitutional Amendment Calendar.
Progress
Jan. 27
Introduced, passed on First Consideration
Jan. 29
Assigned to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
Feb. 12
Recommended for passage, refer to Judiciary Committee
Feb. 19
Set for Judiciary Committee on 2/26
Feb. 26
Recommended for passage by House Judiciary Committee, sent to House Finance, Ways, & Means Committee. Set for March 5th.
Mar. 5
Deferred to the Constitutional Amendment Calendar
Overview
Removes the right to bail when the proof is evident or the presumption is great for the following offenses: act of terrorism, second degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, or any other offense for which a defendant could not be released prior to the expiration of at least 85% of the entire sentence.
Sponsors
House
Speaker Cameron Sexton
Senate
Senator Jack Johnson
