RIGHTS OF VICTIMS OF CRIMES Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee provides that, in order to preserve and protect the rights of victims of crime to justice and due process, victims are entitled to the following basic rights:  The right to confer with the prosecution. The right to be free from intimidation, harassment and abuse throughout the criminal justice system. The right to be present at all proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present. The right to be heard, when relevant, at all critical stages of the criminal justice process as defined by the General Assembly. The right to be informed of all proceedings, and of the release, transfer or escape of the accused or convicted person. The right to a speedy trial or disposition and a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction or sentence. The right to restitution from the offender. The right to be informed of each of the rights established for victims. This bill revises and expands the provision above to, instead, provide that, in order to preserve and protect the rights of victims of crime to justice and due process throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems, a victim, as defined by law and which may be expanded by the General Assembly, has the following rights, which must be protected:  The right to be treated with fairness for the victim's safety and dignity. The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of all public criminal proceedings and all public juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused. The right to be present at all public criminal proceedings and all public juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused. The right upon request to be heard in any proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, disposition, and parole, as well as any public proceeding when relevant during which a right of the victim is implicated. The right to be heard and informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the parole of the offender, and to be notified, upon request, of the parole or other release of the offender. The right to be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse throughout the criminal justice system, including reasonable protection, as defined by the General Assembly, from the accused or any person acting on behalf of the accused. The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of any release, transfer, or escape of the accused or convicted person. The right to full and timely restitution from the offender. The right to a speedy trial or disposition and a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction or sentence. The right to be informed of the minimum sentence the offender will serve in custody and the scheduled release date. The right to have the safety of the victim, the victim's family, and the general public considered before any parole or other post-judgment release decision is made. The right, upon request, to confer with the prosecution. The right to be fully informed of all rights afforded to crime victims. This bill specifically authorizes a victim to assert the rights enumerated above, not as a party, but in the manner further provided by the General Assembly protecting the victim's right to standing. This bill requires Section 35 to be interpreted to preserve and protect the rights of all persons to due process. However, this bill clarifies that Section 35, or any law enacted under Section 35, does not create a basis for vacating a conviction nor does it restrict the powers of the District Attorney General or the inherent authority of the court. Other than as provided in Section 35, this bill does not create a cause of action or claim for damages against the state or a political subdivision of the state; an officer, employee, or agent of the state or of any of its political subdivisions; or an officer or employee of the court. SUBMISSION TO THE PEOPLE Because the companion bill to this bill passed during the 113th General Assembly, if this bill passes the 114th General Assembly, the proposed constitutional amendment to Section 35 will be submitted to the people at the 2026 November general election, and the Secretary of State is directed to place such proposed amendment on the ballot for that election.