Bill > HB1871

This bill, by amending Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-210, requires that individuals convicted of second-degree murder, specifically for knowingly killing another person, must be sentenced within a minimum of "Range II" offender status. Sentencing ranges, like Range II and Range III, are established by Tennessee law (Title 40, Chapter 35) to categorize the severity of offenses and guide judges in determining appropriate prison sentences, with higher ranges generally indicating more serious crimes and longer potential prison terms. While this bill mandates a minimum of Range II, it allows for sentences within the more severe Range III if deemed appropriate by the court, but explicitly prohibits sentences below Range II for this specific type of second-degree murder conviction.