Senate Bill 505 amends Tennessee law to allow defendants to transfer their criminal cases to veterans treatment courts in contiguous counties that meet specific population criteria. The new provision stipulates that a defendant can file a motion for transfer to a county with a population between 220,000 and 220,100, based on the 2020 federal census or any subsequent census. For the transfer to be granted, the veterans treatment court in the receiving county must have jurisdiction over the case, the defendant must waive their right to a jury trial in the original county, and the district attorney general of the contiguous county must agree to accept the case.

This legislation aims to enhance the accessibility of veterans treatment courts for eligible defendants, ensuring that they can receive appropriate support and rehabilitation services. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon becoming law, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the needs of veterans within the criminal justice system.