Bill > SB0944

This bill establishes a mandatory mental health evaluation process for individuals convicted of specific offenses involving abuse, including domestic assault, child abuse, aggravated child abuse, and cruelty to animals. Under the new law, a community mental health center or qualified mental health professional will conduct an outpatient evaluation of the defendant prior to sentencing. The evaluation report will include recommended mental health services, which the court may then incorporate into the sentencing. Defendants will be responsible for paying for the evaluation and any recommended treatment, though indigent defendants will have their costs covered by the department. The bill specifies that these evaluations are subject to the department's workforce availability and funding, which must be reviewed quarterly. If the department lacks sufficient resources to conduct the evaluations, they must submit a report to the state legislature. The mental health evaluation requirement applies to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2026, and the department is authorized to create rules and emergency regulations to implement this new process. The goal appears to be providing mental health support and intervention for individuals who have committed offenses involving abuse, potentially addressing underlying psychological issues that may contribute to such behaviors.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0944&ga=114