Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35.

Tennessee HB1861 amends Title 40, Chapter 35 of the Tennessee Code Annotated to require 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 must order the defendant to attend a substance abuse treatment program instead of revoking probation for the first violation. This bill primarily affects defendants on probation for felony offenses and emphasizes rehabilitation over punitive measures for initial drug-related violations. Key provisions include the stipulation that probation cannot be revoked for the first instance of such a violation.