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SB2373 • 2026

Jails, Local Lock-ups

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8, Chapter 8; Title 29; Title 40 and Title 41, relative to arrestees.

Crime Healthcare
Active

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

Sponsor
Rose, Doggett
Last action
2026-03-24
Official status
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on how often jailers should check for medical needs or whether it will improve healthcare in jails.

Jailer's Authority to Evaluate Arrestees

This bill amends Tennessee laws to allow jailers to evaluate arrestees for medical needs.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the law so that jailers can check if arrestees need medical care.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Jailers who work at county jails
  • Arrestees held in county jails

Terms To Know

jailer
A person responsible for managing and overseeing a jail.
arrestee
Someone who has been arrested by the police but not yet tried or convicted of a crime.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how often jailers should check for medical needs.
  • It is unclear if this change will improve healthcare in jails.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee

  2. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal. in State & Local Government Committee

  3. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026

  4. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/24/2026

  5. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026

  6. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee

  7. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  8. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Departments & Agencies Subcommittee for 3/17/2026

  9. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee

  10. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to State & Local Government Committee

  11. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee

  12. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  13. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  14. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  15. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  16. 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 
HOUSE BILL 2372
By Doggett

SENATE BILL 2373
By Rose
SB2373
012229
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5;
Title 6; Title 7; Title 8, Chapter 8; Title 29; Title 40
and Title 41, relative to arrestees.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 41-4-103, is amended by deleting
subsection (b) and substituting:
(b) The jailer may perform evaluations of the persons listed in subdivisions
(a)(1)-(7) for purposes of classification; management; care, including the need for
medical attention; control; and cell assignment.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.