AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 15, relative to offenses against the family.
Summary
SB2376 makes a narrow procedural change to Tennessee’s criminal code provisions governing offenses against the family. Specifically, it amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-15-502(c)(4) to require a court to hold a hearing on a motion no later than 20 days after the motion is filed. The bill does not change the underlying offense definitions or penalties; it only accelerates the timeline for judicial review of a motion under that section.
The measure is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. By imposing a firm deadline, the bill is aimed at ensuring faster court action in cases covered by this statute, which may affect how quickly parties receive a hearing and how courts schedule these matters.
Impact
The bill amends a specific procedural provision in Title 39, Chapter 15 of the Tennessee Code, changing the timing requirement for hearings on motions under § 39-15-502(c)(4). Its practical effect is to shorten the maximum time between filing and hearing to 20 days, which could affect courts, prosecutors, defense counsel, and any parties seeking relief or review under the statute. Because the bill is limited to scheduling, it does not appear to alter substantive criminal law or create new offenses.
Sentiment
There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be a technical, process-oriented measure rather than a controversial policy change. The absence of recorded votes or discussion suggests no documented public sentiment is available from the provided context.
Contention
No specific points of contention are identified in the provided materials. The only potentially debatable issue is the mandatory 20-day hearing deadline, which could be viewed as improving prompt access to court or, conversely, as placing additional scheduling pressure on courts and litigants. However, no committee remarks, amendments, or votes are available to show that any member or stakeholder formally raised objections.