Senate Bill 477 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 9-8-108, to expand the eligibility criteria for compensation claims by individuals who have been wrongfully imprisoned. The bill adds provisions that allow claims to be heard not only for those granted exoneration under existing law but also for individuals whose sentences are vacated when actual innocence is determined and charges are subsequently dismissed. Additionally, the bill modifies the process for claims in the event of the claimant's death, allowing surviving spouses or children to bring forth claims and ensuring that any remaining payments are distributed among them.

Furthermore, the bill revises the timeline for filing compensation claims, stipulating that claims must be submitted within one year of exoneration or dismissal of charges. For individuals whose convictions were vacated before the bill's effective date, they will have one year from that date to file a claim. These changes aim to streamline the compensation process for wrongfully imprisoned individuals and their families, ensuring they receive the support they deserve in a timely manner.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9-8-108(a)(7), 9-8-108, 9-8-108(a)(7)(C), 9-8-108(a)(7)(F)