House Bill 1861, sponsored by Brooks, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 40-35-311, to introduce a new provision regarding the revocation of probation for felony offenses. The bill stipulates that if a trial judge determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a defendant has violated probation conditions by committing a drug offense, the judge is required to order the defendant to attend a substance abuse treatment program for the first violation instead of revoking probation.

This legislative change aims to provide an opportunity for rehabilitation rather than immediate punishment for first-time drug-related probation violations. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the importance of addressing substance abuse issues through treatment rather than incarceration.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-35-311