Tennessee House Bill HB0574

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 2/1/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 2-2-102 and Title 40, Chapter 29, relative to voting rights.

Impact

The amendments proposed in HB0574 will significantly impact how voting rights are restored to individuals who have faced felony convictions in Tennessee. Notably, the legislation stipulates that a person's voting eligibility will only be affected while they are currently imprisoned, on parole, or under probation for an infamous crime. This change marks a shift towards a more rehabilitative approach in the state's criminal justice policy, seeking to prevent disenfranchisement due to factors such as unpaid monetary obligations or penalties. This represents a notable step towards expanding civil rights for previously incarcerated individuals.

Summary

House Bill 0574 focuses on amending Tennessee's voting rights laws to provide clearer guidelines for the restoration of voting rights for citizens who have been convicted of infamous crimes. The bill specifically modifies several sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, aiming to streamline the process by which individuals with felony convictions can regain their voting rights after completing their sentences. Under the proposed legislation, individuals who have received pardons will be eligible to petition for the restoration of their full citizenship rights immediately after their pardon, ensuring that their disenfranchisement is not prolonged unnecessarily.

Contention

While supporters of HB0574 laud its potential to promote civil rights and expand democratic participation, there may be contention surrounding which crimes are considered infamous and the permanency of disenfranchisement for these offenses. The bill specifies that individuals convicted of severe offenses such as first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or voter fraud will permanently lose their right to vote. This clause could provoke debate regarding the appropriateness of permanently barring individuals from voting, particularly advocates for criminal justice reform who may argue that such policies hinder rehabilitation and reintegration into society.