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TennesseeHB 1089114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to criminal offenses involving abuse.

Sponsored By: Cameron Speaker Sexton (Republican)

Became Law

Criminal Offenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

State sets rules and monitors capacity

The Department can write rules to run the program and use emergency rules right away. Every quarter, it checks if staff and money are enough and reports shortages to the General Assembly. Rulemaking takes effect now. Other parts start January 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Defendants pay unless indigent

You must pay for the evaluation and any court-ordered treatment to the clerk before the evaluation. If the court finds you indigent, the Department pays the provider instead. This payment rule starts January 1, 2026.

Mental health checks for certain convictions

Beginning January 1, 2026, people convicted of certain crimes must get a mental health evaluation before sentencing. This covers domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, cruelty to animals, and aggravated cruelty to animals. A community mental health center or a qualified professional named by the commissioner does the outpatient evaluation. The evaluator sends the court a report with any recommended services. The court may order those services as part of your sentence. If you already had this evaluation under this law, you do not need another.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Cameron Speaker Sexton

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Rebecca K Alexander

    Republican • House

  • John Crawford

    Republican • House

  • Elaine Davis

    Republican • House

  • G.A. Hardaway

    Democrat • House

  • Gary Hicks

    Republican • House

  • Dan Howell

    Republican • House

  • Mary Littleton

    Republican • House

  • Antonio Parkinson

    Democrat • House

  • Iris Rudder

    Republican • House

  • Bryan Terry

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 216 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/22/2025

Yes: 30 • No: 2

House vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 27 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 28 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2025

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2025

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 511

    5/27/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/21/2025, 01/01/2026

    5/27/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/21/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/9/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/8/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/28/2025House

  8. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/22/2025Senate

  9. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0211)

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 2

    4/22/2025Senate

  12. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/21/2025House

  13. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0121)

    4/21/2025House

  14. H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0500)

    4/21/2025House

  15. H. adopted am. (Amendment 3 - HA0501)

    4/21/2025House

  16. Passed H., as am., Ayes 93, Nays 0, PNV 1

    4/21/2025House

  17. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/21/2025House

  18. Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    4/17/2025House

  19. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/17/2025House

  20. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/17/2025

    4/17/2025House

  21. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2025

    4/17/2025House

  22. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/17/2025

    4/16/2025House

  23. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025

    4/9/2025House

  24. Placed behind the budget

    3/26/2025House

  25. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    3/19/2025House

Bill Text

  • HA0500 (Substitute)

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • HA0121

    PDF

  • HA0501

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0211

    PDF

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