House Bill 616 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning the restoration of citizenship rights, particularly the right to vote for individuals convicted of infamous crimes. The bill modifies the criteria for voter eligibility by allowing individuals who have completed their sentences, including incarceration, probation, or parole, to have their voting rights restored. It introduces new language that specifies a person’s right of suffrage can be restored due to the expiration of their sentence and clarifies that individuals are ineligible to vote only while they are currently imprisoned or serving probation or parole for their conviction.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the inability to pay monetary obligations, such as fines or child support, cannot further infringe upon a person's right to vote. It also outlines the process for issuing a certificate of voting rights restoration, which serves as proof of eligibility to register to vote. The bill emphasizes that individuals who do not possess this certificate can still apply for voter registration, as their eligibility will be verified through the appropriate channels. Overall, House Bill 616 seeks to facilitate the restoration of voting rights for individuals with past convictions, thereby promoting reintegration into civic life.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2-2-102, 2-2-116, 2-2-139(a), 2-2-139, 2-2-139(b), 2-19-143, 40-29-101, 40-29-105(b)(2), 40-29-105, 40-29-202, 40-29-203