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HB 2606

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - As introduced, requires the TBI to establish a cold case division, to be divided into three geographic regions, each staffed by a regional director and no fewer than five cold case detectives; requires each local law enforcement agency to submit unsolved missing person or homicide cases to the cold case division following the passage of 10 years without resolution. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Gabby Salinas

Tennessee creates statewide TBI cold case division with 3 regional offices staffing 15+ detectives to investigate unsolved homicides and missing persons cases after 10 years.

Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2606

Legislative bill overview

HB 2606 mandates the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) establish a dedicated cold case division organized into three geographic regions, each led by a regional director and staffed with at least five cold case detectives. The bill requires all local law enforcement agencies to submit unsolved homicide and missing person cases to this division after 10 years without resolution.

Why is this important

Cold cases represent unsolved crimes that burden families, communities, and law enforcement resources. Dedicating specialized personnel and creating a centralized system could improve case resolution rates, provide closure to families, and potentially prevent crimes by perpetrators who remain at large. This also standardizes how Tennessee handles these cases across its jurisdictions.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: The bill mandates staffing for 15+ detectives (3 regional directors plus 15+ additional detectives) without specifying budget allocation or funding sources; TBI would need legislative appropriation.
  • Local agency burden: Requires mandatory case submission from all local agencies after 10 years, which could strain relationships and may conflict with local law enforcement priorities or existing case management practices.
  • Effectiveness uncertainty: No performance metrics, closure rate targets, or accountability measures are specified; unclear whether centralized approach will actually improve outcomes versus current practices.
  • 10-year threshold: Cases reaching 10 years without resolution may have degraded evidence or witness availability, potentially limiting practical investigative success.

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

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