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HB 2203

Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, requires the monthly report of the warden of a county workhouse for each prisoner placed under a work release program to be filed with the judge by whom the prisoner was sentenced on or before the fifteenth day of the month immediately following the reporting period. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 40 and Title 41.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Kelly Keisling

Tennessee requires county jail wardens to file monthly work release program reports with sentencing judges by the 15th of the following month.

Intro., P1C.
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Bill Summary · HB 2203

Legislative bill overview

HB 2203 mandates that county jail wardens submit monthly reports on work release program prisoners to the sentencing judge by the 15th of the following month. The bill modifies Tennessee's jail management statutes to formalize this reporting requirement and establish clear deadlines for documentation.

Why is this important

Work release programs allow incarcerated individuals to maintain employment while serving sentences, but oversight is critical to ensure program integrity and public safety. Formal reporting requirements create accountability and give judges visibility into program compliance, potentially affecting bail decisions, sentence modifications, and recidivism data.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden: Monthly reporting deadlines may strain jail resources, particularly in smaller counties with limited staff, potentially requiring additional funding or hiring
  • Sentencing judge availability: Judges may receive excessive paperwork; unclear whether this improves outcomes or simply adds bureaucratic procedures without substantive oversight mechanisms
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what information must be included in reports, potentially leading to inconsistent documentation quality across counties

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

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