TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE PASSES GOVERNOR LEE’S LANDMARK CRIMINAL JUSTICE, REENTRY REFORM PROPOSALS
Alternatives to Incarceration Act and Reentry Success Act Receive Unanimous Support in Senate
Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Senate passed sweeping reentry and recidivism reduction bills, legislation proposed by Governor Bill Lee. The bills were sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and carried by Representative Michael Curcio, as well as Senators John Stevens and Ken Yager. Both bills garnered unanimous support in the Senate and received just one no vote in the House.
“As we wrap up Second Chance Month, Tennessee continues to lead the way in providing second chances for people in the criminal justice system. These commonsense reforms will help returning citizens who are trying to turn their lives around, prevent unnecessary incarceration, reduce recidivism, and keep our communities safer,” said Lauren Krisai, senior policy analyst at the Justice Action Network. “We’d like to thank Governor Lee for his leadership on this issue and his commitment to rehabilitation and redemption for people who are trying to turn their lives around. We are also grateful to Leaders Lamberth and Johnson, Senators Johnson Stevens and Yager, and Representative Curcio for shepherding these critical bills and ensuring that Tennesseans get a second chance.”
House Bill 784/Senate Bill 767, the Alternatives to Incarceration Act, establishes a mechanism for using state funds to contract with local governments and private entities to develop community-based alternatives to incarceration; requires courts to impose the least restrictive conditions of release for defendants accused of certain low-level offenses; creates graduated sanctions for technical violations of community supervision, among other changes. It is expected to save the state $9 million per year.
House Bill 785/Senate Bill 768, the Reentry Success Act, creates mandatory supervision program for people released from prison; establishes an employer liability shield for hiring those with criminal records; enacts occupational licensing reform that will make it easier for those re-entering society to find employment opportunities; creates a presumption of parole when an eligible incarcerated person reaches their parole date; and authorizes Tennessee’s community colleges and colleges of applied technology to assist counties in the development of evidence-based programming for felony offenders housed by counties that identify appropriate job training and workforce development programs, among other changes. It is expected to save the state $74 million annually in reduced incarceration costs.