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SB0490 • 2026

Expunction

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 32, relative to destruction of records.

Crime
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Bowling, Russell
Last action
2025-03-11
Official status
Failed in Senate Judiciary Committee / no motion
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details about how expunctions will be processed or additional changes to criminal record handling beyond allowing for expunction of a specific type of conviction.

Expunction for Certain Convictions

This bill allows people with certain convictions to have their records cleared.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds provisions to Tennessee's laws allowing expunction of a Class E felony conviction for official misconduct.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People convicted of a Class E felony for official misconduct
  • Courts and law enforcement agencies

Terms To Know

Expunction
The process of removing or destroying criminal records so they do not appear in background checks.
Class E felony
A type of serious crime, but the least severe among felonies.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill did not pass and was stopped by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • The exact impact on people's lives is unclear because it never became a law.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee

  2. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/19/2025

  3. 2025-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Failed in Senate Judiciary Committee / no motion

  4. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/11/2025

  5. 2025-02-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  6. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  7. 2025-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  8. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  9. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  10. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  11. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  12. 2025-01-29 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 1026
By Russell

SENATE BILL 490
By Bowling

SB0490
000725
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39
and Title 40, Chapter 32, relative to destruction of
records.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-32-101(g)(1)(A), is amended by
adding the following new subdivision:
( ) Section 39-16-402 – Official misconduct;
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.