Bill > HB2504

This bill, effective July 1, 2026, establishes new sentencing requirements for repeat violent offenders in Tennessee, aiming to ensure that individuals convicted of violent crimes receive appropriate punishment based on their criminal history. Specifically, it introduces a "strike" system to classify offenses, with certain violent crimes like aggravated rape and murder counting as a full strike, less severe violent offenses counting as half a strike, and other felonies or misdemeanor attempts of violent crimes counting as a quarter strike. A defendant will be classified as a "repeat violent offender" if they are convicted of a violent offense committed on or after July 1, 2026, and their total "strikes" from this new offense and prior convictions equal three or more, with at least two of those strikes being for the most serious violent offenses. If a defendant meets this criteria, they will be sentenced to life imprisonment, with courts required to determine if the defendant falls under this new law or existing repeat offender statutes, prioritizing the stricter sentencing if applicable. The bill also clarifies that juvenile adjudications for violent offenses do not count as prior convictions unless the juvenile was tried and convicted as an adult.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=HB2504&ga=114