SB 1215 creates a Tennessee School Safety Grant Fund within the state general fund, administered by the Department of Education. The fund provides grants exclusively to local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools that have experienced a school shooting or firearm-related death on school grounds during school hours. Grants must support prevention, reduction, and response efforts, with priority given to schools based on need factors like past incidents, availability of school resource officers, and financial resources. The Department of Education must annually report on grant allocations to relevant legislative committees starting in 2026.
SB 942 creates the Tennessee Board of Professional Sign Language Interpreters to establish licensing requirements for sign language interpreters in the state. The bill directly affects deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing Tennesseans who rely on interpreters for communication access, as well as interpreters themselves. Key provisions include defining terms like "licensed interpreter," requiring the board to set rules for licensing, suspending licenses, and professional conduct standards, and mandating that board members include representation from the deaf community and licensed interpreters. The board will operate under the Department of Health and develop rules to ensure interpreter quality and accessibility services.
HB 476 increases financial requirements for insurance companies providing workers' compensation coverage in Tennessee. It raises the mandatory bond amount from $50,000 to $100,000 and the alternative deposit amount from $100,000 to $200,000 with the Labor Commissioner. These changes apply specifically to insurers operating in Tennessee's workers' compensation market and take effect January 1, 2026. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to insurance regulation (Title 50, Section 50-6-404).
HB 1121 amends Tennessee's financial aid law to expand eligibility for dual enrollment grants, allowing sophomores in high school to qualify if admitted to a postsecondary institution. Previously, only juniors and seniors were eligible, but this bill adds sophomores to the qualifying student categories. The change affects high school students seeking to take college courses while still enrolled in high school through dual enrollment programs. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2025, and updates Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 4.
SB 474 prohibits Tennessee healthcare providers from asking patients about firearm ammunition ownership, possession, or access during medical visits. It also bans denying treatment or recording such information unless medically relevant, and requires written notice if an inquiry occurs. Violations carry a $1,000 fine per incident and potential disciplinary action from licensing authorities. The law directly affects most healthcare providers (excluding psychiatrists/psychologists) and protects patients' rights regarding firearm ownership during medical care.
HB 1390 would allow Tennessee courts to issue extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose a significant danger of causing personal injury to themselves or others. Petitions for ERPOs can be filed by law enforcement officers or close relatives, requiring clear and convincing evidence of danger before a court acts. The bill also mandates that firearms be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition (except when carried by the owner), and requires gun dealers to delay firearm deliveries for 15 business days to complete background checks. These provisions directly affect firearm owners, law enforcement, gun dealers, and individuals subject to ERPO petitions.
HB 596 creates the "Tennessee Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearms Act," allowing any Tennessee resident to temporarily prohibit their own firearm purchases by filing a waiver with their county circuit court clerk. The waiver requires government-issued ID verification, triggers a 24-hour background check entry by the TBI, and automatically suspends existing handgun carry permits. Residents can revoke the waiver after 7 days, with full reinstatement (including permit restoration) occurring 21 days after TBI processing. The law applies only to the filer’s own firearm access, does not affect other legal rights, and requires strict confidentiality for all records.
HB 1301 revives civil lawsuits for sexual assault that were legally closed due to expired time limits, specifically for victims who were 18 or older when the assault occurred. It allows these cases to be filed between six months and two years after July 1, 2025. The bill amends Tennessee laws (Titles 28, 39, and 40) to cover defined offenses like rape, sexual battery, and incest. This change applies only to cases barred by statute of limitations before July 1, 2025, and does not affect cases involving minors.
HB 1233 amends Tennessee bail bond law to allow professional bondsmen to provide and retain digital receipts for money or other consideration paid, instead of requiring only paper receipts. It directly affects bail bondsmen and their clients by updating the receipt requirements in Title 40, Chapter 11 of Tennessee Code. The key provision replaces "furnish a receipt" with "furnish a written or digital receipt" and modifies duplicate copy retention to include digital formats. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, modernizing administrative processes for bail bond transactions.
HB 2602 requires local law enforcement agencies in Tennessee to provide detained individuals under federal immigration agreements with specific information (name, date of birth, intake date, facility location) within 24 hours upon request. It mandates reasonable access to legal counsel, phone calls for legal purposes, and family visits, while prohibiting retaliation against detainees for seeking these rights. The bill directly affects individuals detained under federal agreements, local detention facilities, and their attorneys, without altering federal immigration enforcement or requiring release. It also allows legal action for violations and permits recovery of attorney fees for successful claims.
HB 2434 prevents local school boards and public charter school governing bodies from removing library materials while they are under evaluation for appropriateness. The bill directly affects school libraries and the materials they carry, requiring that materials remain accessible during the review process. It mandates that removal can only occur after a formal determination is made about whether the material is suitable for students' age, maturity, and the school's educational mission. This applies whether the evaluation is conducted by the local board, the school's governing body, or the state textbook commission. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 2211, the "Safe Access to Schools and Child Services Act," prohibits Tennessee public schools, government agencies, and other child-serving entities from requiring disclosure of a child’s immigration status for enrollment, attendance, or services. It directly affects children under 18 and covers public schools, state departments, local governments, and public utilities. The law explicitly allows compliance with federal immigration law or court orders, clarifying it does not restrict cooperation with federal authorities when legally required. This bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to education, health, and government operations to implement this policy.
