Tennessee Senate Bill SB0388

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39; Title 40; Title 55; Chapter 969 of the Public Acts of 2024 and Chapter 1033 of the Public Acts of 2024, relative to global positioning monitoring.

Impact

The passage of SB0388 will have significant implications for the criminal justice system and bail practices in Tennessee. For the first time, there will be a statutory requirement for GPS monitoring in specific cases, which may reduce repeat offenses and enhance the accountability of offenders awaiting trial. Additionally, the bill accomplishes this by introducing reporting requirements; courts will need to report data on the number of individuals subject to such monitoring and the related offenses, contributing to transparency in the criminal justice system.

Summary

SB0388, introduced by Senator Taylor, aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated pertaining to global positioning monitoring devices. The bill mandates that individuals arrested for certain offenses must wear a GPS monitoring device as a condition of bail unless the court determines that the offender does not pose a threat to the alleged victim or public safety. This includes offenses involving firearms, domestic assault, burglary, reckless driving, and drag racing, among others. The legislation's intent is to enhance monitoring of potentially dangerous individuals to improve public safety and provide better protection for victims.

Contention

While supporters argue that SB0388 is a crucial step toward providing enhanced protection for vulnerable victims, critics may view it as an additional layer of oversight that could infringe on the rights of defendants. Potential racial and socioeconomic biases in the enforcement of such monitoring measures could also raise concerns among civil liberties advocates. Thus, discussions surrounding the bill could focus on balancing public safety and individual rights, and on ensuring that the implementation of GPS monitoring promotes fairness in the legal process.