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HB2189 • 2026

Criminal Procedure

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 6; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to the collection of DNA samples.

Crime
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Littleton, Stevens
Last action
2026-02-09
Official status
Sponsor(s) withdrawn.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the current practices or procedures, leaving some uncertainty about the impact of this change.

DNA Sample Collection for Violent Felonies

This bill requires court clerks to send written notifications to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) about the final outcome of cases involving violent felonies where DNA samples were collected.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires court clerks to notify the TBI in writing about the final disposition of a case when someone charged with a violent felony has had their DNA sample taken.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Court clerks who handle cases involving violent felonies
  • The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)

Terms To Know

Violent Felony
A serious crime that involves violence or the threat of violence.
DNA Sample
A small piece of biological material, like a blood sample, used to identify someone through their unique genetic makeup.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if the court clerk fails to send the notification in writing.
  • It is unclear how this change will affect current practices and procedures.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee

  2. 2026-02-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) withdrawn.

  3. 2026-02-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor change.

  4. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  5. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  6. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  7. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  8. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  9. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SENATE BILL 2182
By Stevens

HOUSE BILL 2189
By Littleton
HB2189
012408
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38,
Chapter 6; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to the
collection of DNA samples.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-35-321(e)(2), is amended by
inserting the language ", in writing," immediately after the language "shall notify".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.