Bill > HB1346

This bill, known as the "Recovery Court Renewal Act," amends Tennessee law to create a new pathway for expunging (clearing) certain criminal records for individuals who have successfully completed a certified recovery court program. An "eligible petitioner" under this new provision is someone seeking to expunge an offense that is generally eligible for expunction and occurred at least ten years after a conviction for a specific traffic offense related to driving under the influence (DUI), as defined by § 55-10-401. To qualify, the petitioner must have fully satisfied all court-imposed requirements for the offense they wish to expunge, including paying fines, restitution, and court costs, and completing any jail time, probation, or release conditions. Crucially, they must have successfully finished a certified recovery court program, have not previously received an expunction for another offense, and have only been convicted of the specified DUI offense once. However, this expunction pathway is not available if the offense being expunged involved a motor vehicle and the use of alcohol or controlled substances, such as a DUI violation. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.