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Bill > HB0720
TN HB0720
TN HB0720AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 2 and Title 40, relative to criminal sentencing.
summary
Introduced
02/03/2025
02/03/2025
In Committee
02/06/2025
02/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As introduced, reduces the percentage of sentence that a person convicted of first degree murder on or after July 1, 1995, and sentenced to life imprisonment is required to serve before becoming eligible for release from 100 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained to 60 percent of 60 years less sentence credits earned and retained; prohibits a defendant becoming eligible for parole before serving 25 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 25 years of age or younger at the time of the offense, or 30 years of the sentence, if the defendant was 26 years of age or older at the time of the offense. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 2 and Title 40.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Tennessee's sentencing guidelines for first-degree murder, specifically focusing on parole eligibility for individuals convicted of this crime on or after July 1, 1995. Previously, such defendants were required to serve 100% of 60 years before being eligible for release, but the bill reduces this to 60% of 60 years, while still allowing sentence credits to be applied. The bill introduces a new provision that mandates defendants must serve a minimum number of years before becoming parole-eligible, which varies based on the offender's age at the time of the crime: defendants who were 25 years old or younger must serve at least 25 full calendar years, while those 26 years or older must serve at least 30 full calendar years. These changes aim to provide more nuanced sentencing guidelines that consider the offender's age while still maintaining significant prison time for first-degree murder. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply retroactively to offenses committed on or after July 1, 1995.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee (on 02/10/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0720&ga=114 |
| Fiscal Note - SB0475 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/SB0475.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/HB0720.pdf |
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