Bill > HB0625

This bill modifies Tennessee law to create a rebuttable presumption that certain individuals charged with serious criminal offenses pose an imminent substantial likelihood of serious harm and therefore require emergency mental health detention and examination. Specifically, if a person is charged with a crime that would require them to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release (as defined in § 40-35-501), and they have been ordered by a criminal, circuit, or general sessions court to undergo a mental health evaluation to determine their competency to stand trial or their mental state at the time of the crime, they will be presumed to need emergency detention. The presumption can only be overcome by clear and convincing evidence demonstrating that the person does not pose a serious harm risk. This means that the burden of proof is on the individual or their legal representatives to prove they do not require emergency mental health intervention. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and is intended to enhance public safety by ensuring potentially dangerous individuals receive appropriate mental health evaluation and intervention.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0625&ga=114