TennesseeEligible people may clear one offense after recovery court
Starting July 1, 2026, eligible people who complete certified recovery court and meet the sentence requirements may ask a court to clear one offense from their record.
What it does
The law lets some people ask a court to clear one eligible offense from their record after completing a certified recovery court program and meeting other conditions.
Argument forPeople who complete recovery court and meet the other conditions could ask a judge to clear one eligible offense from their record.
Argument againstPeople who cannot pay all fines and court costs, or whose offense involved a vehicle and alcohol or drugs, may remain unable to clear a record.
More detail
The law lets an eligible person petition a court to clear one criminal offense from their record. The offense must qualify under subsection (a)(1) and must have occurred at least 10 years after the person's conviction under section 55-10-401. The person must complete the sentence, including paying fines, restitution, court costs, and other assessments, and completing imprisonment, probation, and release conditions. The person must complete a certified recovery court program, must not have received an earlier expungement under the listed subsections, and must not have more than one conviction under section 55-10-401. A court cannot grant expungement if the offense involves a motor vehicle and alcohol or a controlled substance. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1061Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 27Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0981)Minor
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 82, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 17Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 16Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0764)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/16/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 28, Nays 1Passed Senate
- Apr 16Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 15Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026
- Apr 14Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026
- Apr 8Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 4/8/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 8Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 1Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2026
- Mar 17Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0 3/17/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 16Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/17/2026
- Mar 16Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- Mar 11Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026
- 2025
- Apr 21Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 12Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Feb 10Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Feb 6Filed for introductionIntroduced
Criminal Justice