Tennessee

Tennessee Legislation

Year of last legislative change: 2016

Year of last revision to administrative code: Awaiting data

Most challenging aspects associated with introducing and passing interlock legislation:
It is difficult to draft bills, make changes, and introduce legislation. There is a very long process each bill has to go through because there are proposals, approval, and the need for a certain number of legislators to back a bill. It often takes 3-5 years for a bill to be passed, which sometimes means it is outdated by the time it is passed. It took nearly seven years for the rules and regulations to be introduced. Also, Public Safety is only allowed to promote two-three bills each year, and there are competing priorities. The main pushers for interlock legislation are the manufacturers.

Changes for program improvement being pursued:
Changes in oversight and IID requirement

Who is eligible for an interlock in your state according to legislation (Data provided by CIIM):
All impaired drivers

Can impaired drivers 'wait out' their interlock requirement:
Yes

Is an interlock required on test refusal:
No

Program Authority

Type of program: Awaiting data

Agency/agencies with authority over the interlock program: Awaiting data

Agency/agencies with authority over participant monitoring: Awaiting data

Agency/agencies with authority over sanctioning interlock program participants: Awaiting data

Agency/agencies with authority to approve devices: Awaiting data

Training available for judges, law enforcement, and lawyers:
DPS training for judges, attorneys, court clerks and cadets

Program Features

Hardship license available to first offenders: Awaiting data

Hardship license available to repeat offenders: Awaiting data

Hardship license (First offenders, Repeat offenders, All): Awaiting data

Lookback period: Awaiting data

Source of funding: Offender fees

Indigent funding is available to participants: Yes

Qualification requirements for indigent funding: Annual income is 185% or less of the US poverty guidelines

Frequency of interlock device service: Awaiting data

Participation

Participation Rate: Awaiting data

Number of interlock program participants in 2019: Awaiting data

Indicator used to determine the number of participants in the interlock program (e.g., certificate of device installation, certificate of device removal): Awaiting data

Indicator(s) used in state as the best measure(s) of the eligible population of offenders for the interlock program to determine the program participation rate: Awaiting data

Penalties for non-compliance: Awaiting data

Program Length

Length of Hard Suspension

1st offenders: 12 months

2nd offenders: 24 months

3rd offenders: 60 months

4th and subsequent offenders: 96 months

Interlock Program Length

1st offenders: 6 months

2nd offenders: Awaiting data

3rd offenders: Awaiting data

4th and subsequent offenders: Awaiting data

Compliance/Non-Compliance

Program length is extended for non-compliance: Awaiting data

Length of extension for non-compliance: Awaiting data

Program length is reduced for compliance: Awaiting data

Length of reduction for compliance: Awaiting data

Frequency of sanctions imposed for non-compliance: Awaiting data

Program exit requirements: Compliance-based removal

Treatment

Treatment is required for the interlock program: Yes

Components applied to treatment: Yes

Data Collection & Management

Agency responsible for collecting data: Awaiting data

Overview of Data Management: Awaiting data

Barriers to data collection: Awaiting data

Vendors in State

Vendor Oversight

Number of Vendors in State: 6

Agency responsible for vendor oversight: Department of Public Safety

Approval process for new vendors: Vendors must meet the NHTSA requirements, complete an application process, and agree to making their data accessible via our electronic database. It usually takes about a month to complete this process, inspect service centers, and ensure they work well in other states.

Vendor recertification: Awaiting data

Interlock technology features (Data provided by CIIM): Camera, Real-time reporting

Radius requirement for service centers: Yes

Radius requirement: 100-miles

Jurisdiction: