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Bill > SB0963
TN SB0963
TN SB0963AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52, relative to persons found incompetent to stand trial.
summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
05/27/2025
05/27/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/27/2025
05/27/2025
Introduced Session
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As enacted, increases from 11 months and 29 days to two years from the date of arrest the time within which misdemeanor charges against a defendant who has been found incompetent must be retired unless the defendant is restored to competency; adds to present law that, when a defendant whose misdemeanor charges were retired due to a finding of incompetency is released into the community, the chief officer is required to notify the court of the defendant's discharge and provide the court and the sheriff with an outpatient treatment plan that accounts for the safety of the community. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Tennessee law regarding misdemeanor charges for defendants found incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness or developmental disability. Under the current law, misdemeanor charges were typically required to be retired within 11 months and 29 days after arrest. The bill extends this timeframe to two years after the date of arrest, with an important caveat that charges will not be automatically retired if the defendant is restored to competency before the two-year mark. Additionally, when a defendant with retired charges is released into the community, the chief officer must notify the court of the discharge and provide an outpatient treatment plan that addresses community safety. The bill also amends reporting requirements, stipulating that if a defendant with misdemeanor charges remains hospitalized for two years, the reporting obligations will continue until the defendant is discharged. These changes aim to provide more flexibility in handling cases involving defendants with mental health or developmental challenges, while still maintaining oversight and community safety considerations. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Comp. became Pub. Ch. 519 (on 05/27/2025)
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=SB0963&ga=114 |
| Fiscal Memo for SA0354 (5109) | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/FM1245.pdf |
| BillText | https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0519.pdf |
| Amendment 1-0 to SB0963 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Amend/SA0354.pdf |
| Fiscal Memo for SA0354 (5109) | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/FM0546.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB0963 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/SB0963.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/SB0963.pdf |
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