Senate Bill 407 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning the restoration of citizenship rights for individuals convicted of felonies. Key changes include the replacement of language regarding the restoration of suffrage rights, specifying that individuals must have their right of suffrage restored as prescribed by state law for each felony conviction. The bill also outlines the eligibility criteria for individuals seeking restoration of their rights, including the requirement to have paid all restitution and court costs, and establishes a process for petitioning the circuit court for restoration.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of "citizenship rights" and "voter fraud," and it details the procedures for petitioning for the restoration of rights, including the necessary documentation and notifications to relevant authorities. It specifies that individuals convicted of certain serious offenses, such as first-degree murder and aggravated rape, are permanently ineligible to have their suffrage restored. The act will take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the importance of restoring citizenship rights while maintaining certain restrictions for serious offenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2-2-116, 2-2-139, 2-19-143, 40-29-101, 40-29-102, 40-29-103, 40-29-104, 40-29-105, 40-20-114(b), 40-20-114