Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Tennessee General Assembly, fetched 2026-09-25. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. This is the chaptered version. The official bill page.
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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 262
SENATE BILL NO. 856
By Taylor, Rose, Stevens
Substituted for: House Bill No. 854
By Lamberth, Hardaway, Davis
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 24; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to criminal
procedure.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-11-115, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:
(f) In determining under subsection (a) whether or not a defendant shall be released,
the magistrate may consider hearsay evidence when the magistrate finds that the evidence is
reliable if the defendant is accorded a fair opportunity to rebut any reliable hearsay evidence
considered by the magistrate.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-11-118, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:
(h) In determining the amount of bail necessary to reasonably assure the appearance
of the defendant while at the same time protecting the safety of the public, the magistrate may
consider hearsay evidence when the magistrate finds that the evidence is reliable if the
defendant is accorded a fair opportunity to rebut any reliable hearsay evidence considered by
the magistrate.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
SENATE BILL NO. 856
PASSED: April 14, 2025
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""- - RA~DY
SPEAKER OF THE SENATE
CAMERON SEXTON, SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Apo I APPROVED this J i ~ day of 2025
UA.
BILL LEE, GOVERNOREvery fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.