House Bill 1861, also known as Senate Bill 1977, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, Chapter 35, regarding the revocation of probation. The bill introduces a new subsection (h) to Section 40-35-311, which stipulates that if a trial judge determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a defendant has violated probation conditions due to 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 alternative to incarceration for individuals who violate probation due to drug-related offenses, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, contingent upon the public welfare.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-35-311