House Bill 1475 amends Tennessee law regarding the admissibility of evidence in court. It introduces new provisions that state evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights may still be admissible unless it meets specific criteria for exclusion. These criteria include instances of deliberate, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct that violate the Fourth Amendment, and a refusal to suppress the evidence would contradict a clearly established ruling by the United States Supreme Court. Additionally, the bill prohibits Tennessee courts from recognizing any exclusionary rule that extends beyond federal standards.

The bill also establishes a process for the state to appeal orders granting motions to suppress evidence directly to the Tennessee Supreme Court. It mandates that such appeals be expedited and allows for the court to affirm suppression orders without further argument if the state acknowledges that a Supreme Court ruling necessitates the suppression. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to actions occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-6-108