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Committee Approves Pilot to Expand Recovery Court in Northeast Tennessee
Summary
An amendment to House Bill 14-71 creates a temporary pilot through 2028 to expand access to recovery/drug court for nonviolent offenders in Northeast Tennessee; sponsor emphasized discretion and exclusions for violent offenses and fiscal concerns were raised.
Representative Hicks explained the amendment to House Bill 14-71 would create a pilot program in Northeast Tennessee to expand access to drug court or recovery court, with judicial discretion for admitting appropriate participants and explicit exclusions for violent offenders.
"This amendment creates a pilot program in Northeast Tennessee to expand access to drug court treatment or recovery court... This is a temporary pilot through 2028 so we can measure results, before expanding anything statewide," Representative Hicks said, stressing public safeguards and the focus on nonviolent individuals where treatment reduces recidivism.
Leader Lambert and other members asked why the bill is a pilot rather than statewide. Representative Hicks and the chair said fiscal uncertainty prompted the choice: the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse provided differing cost estimates, and the pilot allows measurement before broader rollout. The amendment was adopted and the bill was sent to Calendar and Rules (vote recorded with clerks at 17 ayes, 0 noes, 1 present not voting).
