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SB1945 • 2026

Bail, Bail Bonds

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, Chapter 11, relative to release on bail.

Crime
Active

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

Sponsor
Haile, Grills
Last action
2026-04-02
Official status
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included some details that were not explicitly supported by the provided official source material.

Changes to Bail Rules in Tennessee

This bill allows courts to temporarily revoke bail for up to ten days if a defendant violates release conditions or commits new crimes during their release.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the court to temporarily revoke someone's bond and hold them without bail for no more than ten days if they violate release conditions, are charged with an offense committed during their release, or obstruct legal proceedings.
  • Requires the court to issue a written order and notice of hearing before revoking bail.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who are released on bail after being charged with a crime
  • Courts that handle criminal cases

Terms To Know

Bail
Money or other conditions set by the court to ensure someone returns for their trial.
Personal recognizance bond
A promise made by a defendant to appear in court without posting money as security.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how often or under what circumstances the temporary removal of bail can happen.
  • It is unclear how this change will affect local government budgets and spending.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 Tennessee General Assembly

    H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026

  2. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026

  3. 2026-04-07 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

  4. 2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

  5. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/7/2026

  6. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  7. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  8. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  9. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 6

  10. 2026-03-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026

  11. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/1/2026

  12. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

  13. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  14. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026

  15. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee

  16. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

  17. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  18. 2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/17/2026

  19. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026

  20. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026

  21. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee

  22. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  23. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  24. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  25. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  26. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  27. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 1980
By Grills

SENATE BILL 1945
By Haile
SB1945
010887
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40,
Chapter 11, relative to release on bail.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-11-141, is amended by deleting
subsection (b) and substituting the following:
(b) If after the defendant is released upon personal recognizance, an unsecured
personal appearance bond, or any other bond approved by the court, the defendant
violates a condition of release, is charged with an offense committed during the
defendant's release, or engages in conduct which results in the obstruction of the orderly
and expeditious progress of the trial or other proceedings, then the court may, upon the
filing of a written order and notice of hearing, temporarily revoke the defendant's bond
and order the defendant held without bail for no more than ten (10) days pending a bail
revocation hearing. Following a bail revocation hearing, if the court finds that the
defendant has violated a condition of bond, then the court may permanently revoke the
defendant's bond and order the defendant held without bail pending trial or without
release during trial.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.