Tennessee House Bill HB2023

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/26
• Refer: 2/4/26
• Refer: 3/18/26
• Refer: 4/1/26
• Refer: 4/8/26
• Refer: 4/14/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-24-109, relative to the victims assistance assessment.

Impact

The bill's financial provisions stipulate that out of the $125 fee, the first $15 is allocated for the court's processing and handling, while the remaining $110 is directed to the county where the offense was committed. This structure is designed to ensure that sufficient resources are channeled into local victim assistance programs as determined by the respective county legislative bodies. By formalizing this assessment, the bill potentially increases funding for essential support services for victims, which may enhance the assistance they receive during legal proceedings and afterward.

Summary

House Bill 2023 seeks to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 40-24-109, regarding the victims assistance assessment. Under this bill, courts of general sessions, circuit and criminal courts, and municipal courts that functionally mirror these jurisdictions will be required to collect a victims assistance assessment fee of $125 from individuals convicted of certain criminal offenses. This charge applies to individuals who plead guilty, are found guilty, or enter a plea of nolo contendere. The legislation aims to bolster the funding for programs that assist victims of crime, providing a dedicated monetary stream for these initiatives.

Contention

Although the bill primarily focuses on funding victim assistance, it raises points of contention concerning the fairness of imposing additional financial burdens on individuals who are already subject to legal penalties. Critics may argue that this measure could disproportionately affect low-income individuals who are navigating the criminal justice system. Furthermore, the imposition of additional fees may complicate the rehabilitation process for offenders, potentially hindering their ability to reintegrate into society. Supporters, on the other hand, assert that ensuring adequate funding for victim assistance programs is vital for the overall health of the legal system and that the fees are a necessary part of holding offenders accountable.