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 regain their voting rights. It introduces new language that specifies a person’s right of suffrage can be restored due to the expiration of their sentence, and it clarifies that a conviction for an infamous crime only renders a person ineligible to vote while they are currently imprisoned or under supervision for that conviction.

Additionally, the bill establishes a streamlined process for individuals to obtain a certificate of voting rights restoration, which serves as proof of their eligibility to register to vote. It mandates that the Department of Correction provide regular updates to the Secretary of State regarding newly eligible individuals, ensuring that their voting rights can be restored efficiently. The bill also emphasizes that the inability to pay monetary obligations, such as fines or child support, cannot further infringe upon a person's right to vote. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the accessibility of voting rights for individuals who have served their sentences for infamous crimes.

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