Senator Joey Hensley, MD: Tennessee 28th District Capitol Hill Week in Review

Truth in Sentencing legislation gets committee approval

The Judiciary Committee this week passed a “truth in sentencing” bill that requires a person convicted of certain offenses to serve 100% of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release. Senate Bill 2248 applies to 14 violent crimes, including aggravated assault, vehicular homicide, attempted first degree murder where the victim suffers great bodily injury and aggravated robbery, to name a few.

Under the bill, there will be no release eligibility for a person who committed an applicable offense on or after July 1, 2022. The pe...