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HB 449

Criminal Procedure - As introduced, restores the right of suffrage for persons convicted of an infamous crime after expiration of the sentence imposed for the infamous crime; removes requirement that the person pay restitution and court costs and be current in all child support obligations before having the person's right of suffrage restored; permits a person to have the right of suffrage restored without having the person's full rights of citizenship restored. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Ronnie Glynn

Restores voting rights to felony convicts upon sentence completion, removing financial obligations and restitution requirements as prerequisites.

P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
#criminalprocedure
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 449

Legislative bill overview

HB 449 would restore voting rights to individuals convicted of felonies ("infamous crimes") once they complete their sentences, without requiring them to pay restitution, court costs, or be current on child support obligations. The bill also permits voting rights restoration independent of full citizenship rights restoration.

Why is this important

Voting rights restoration directly affects civic participation and political representation for approximately 5.2 million Americans with felony convictions. This policy determines whether criminal justice involvement permanently strips fundamental political rights or provides a pathway back to full democratic participation after sentence completion.

Potential points of contention

  • Financial barriers vs. victim compensation: Removing restitution and court cost requirements may conflict with victims' access to compensation and court system funding
  • Child support enforcement: Eliminating the child support current-payment requirement could reduce leverage for collecting child support obligations
  • Felony definition scope: "Infamous crime" language may be ambiguous regarding which offenses trigger voting restrictions and restoration processes
  • Federalism concerns: Varies from some states' approaches requiring waiting periods or additional conditions beyond sentence completion

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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