Bill > HB1232

This bill makes several changes to Tennessee criminal justice law across multiple sections. First, it establishes a mandatory 30-day minimum sentence for possessing fentanyl and related derivatives, during which the offender must serve 100% of the time, while still allowing participation in drug recovery programs after serving the minimum sentence. The bill also modifies provisions related to criminal proceedings, specifically allowing victims to file petitions with a criminal court prior to a defendant's conviction, with the court holding the petition until the trial's conclusion and then proceeding with a hearing if a conviction occurs. Additionally, the bill updates laws regarding death scene investigations, making it unlawful to disturb a body potentially involved in a violent or drug-related death without notifying local law enforcement or the district attorney's office, while explicitly permitting the administration of naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) to someone experiencing a drug overdose. These changes aim to strengthen drug offense penalties, provide more legal options for victims, and clarify protocols for investigating potential criminal deaths. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.