Tennessee House Bill HB2700

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8 and Title 41, relative to persons convicted of a criminal offense.

Impact

The legislation's passage would likely have significant implications on the way data about individuals with criminal convictions is recorded and maintained by state authorities. By requiring additional physical descriptors, the bill can lead to improved accuracy in identification processes. However, it may also raise concerns regarding privacy and the potential for misuse of such data. The implications of this amendment could stretch into various layers of the criminal justice system, affecting everything from arrest records to rehabilitation programs.

Summary

House Bill 2700 seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning the regulations surrounding individuals who have been convicted of criminal offenses. The bill specifically proposes the addition of physical characteristics such as height and weight to the current data that is collected, which previously only included age and sex. This amendment reflects an effort to enhance the identification and tracking of convicted persons, presumably for law enforcement and record-keeping purposes.

Contention

While the bill seems straightforward, it may encounter opposition based on concerns over privacy and data security. Critics may argue that expanding the physical descriptors related to convicted persons could lead to stigmatization or profiling of individuals. Additionally, there could be discussions around the efficiency and necessity of such amendments, questioning whether the benefits outweigh potential concerns regarding the handling and protection of this sensitive information.