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SB2420 • 2026

Sentencing

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to criminal law.

Crime
Active

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

Sponsor
Kyle, Hakeem
Last action
2026-02-05
Official status
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide specific details about which sections of Titles 38, 39, and 40 are affected.

Changing Time for Sentencing Hearings

This bill changes how long after someone is found guilty a sentencing hearing must happen in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the law to say that a sentencing hearing must now be held within 30 days instead of 45 days after someone is found guilty.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who are found guilty of a crime
  • Courts that handle sentencing hearings

Terms To Know

Sentencing hearing
A court meeting where the judge decides what punishment someone should get for breaking the law.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how courts will handle cases that are already in progress when the new rule takes effect.
  • It is unclear if this change applies to all types of crimes or only certain ones.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  2. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  3. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  4. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  5. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  6. 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 2311
By Hakeem

SENATE BILL 2420
By Kyle
SB2420
012707
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38;
Title 39 and Title 40, relative to criminal law.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-35-209(a), is amended by
deleting the language "forty-five (45) days" and substituting "thirty (30) days".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.