Tennessee Bills

SB 1313 changes Tennessee property development law by establishing a property owner's rights upon *submitting* a development plan or building permit, rather than waiting for local government *approval*. This affects developers and local governments, as it secures rights for three years starting from the submission date. The law requires plans to substantially comply with local ordinances, fixes development standards in place at submission for the entire vesting period, and shifts key terms from "approval" to "submission" throughout the code. The bill is now enacted (effective July 1, 2025), streamlining the timeline for project certainty.

SB 433 prohibits abandoning an animal in one's custody and removes the defense that the animal was left near a shelter, veterinary clinic, or other care facility if the person didn't make reasonable arrangements for the animal's care. This law directly affects individuals who abandon pets, making it a criminal offense even if the animal was left near a shelter. The key provision amends Tennessee Code § 39-14-202(a)(3) to explicitly state that such abandonment cannot be defended by proximity to a care facility. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, strengthening accountability for animal abandonment.

SB 1084, the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act," prohibits Tennessee state agencies, counties, cities, metropolitan governments, and public universities from maintaining or authorizing offices or departments focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The law voids all existing DEI-related mandates, policies, programs, and enforcement actions by these entities. It directly affects all public sector organizations in Tennessee by requiring the elimination of DEI offices and related initiatives. The bill became effective May 9, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

SB 288 adds prostate cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer to the list of conditions where Tennessee firefighters can claim work-related injury presumption under state law. This means full-time firefighters diagnosed with these cancers after July 1, 2025, can automatically qualify for compensation unless medical evidence proves the cancer was unrelated to their job. To qualify, firefighters must obtain a cancer screening exam after July 1, 2025, showing no prior evidence of these cancers. The law, effective July 1, 2025, amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 7-51-201.

SB 899 updates Tennessee school safety standards for windows in public and charter schools. It requires new or remodeled school buildings constructed or remodeled on or after July 1, 2025, to install either clear film or security glazing meeting the ASTM F3561 test standard on exterior entry points. Buildings remodeled before July 2025 must use clear entry-resistant film on exterior windows/doors. The state safety team must develop guidelines for compliance, which the state fire marshal will incorporate into official rules. The law became effective May 9, 2025, with the new window standards taking effect July 1, 2025.

SB 14 amends Tennessee's wildlife laws to reclassify hunting on private land without permission from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor. This change directly affects hunters who trespass on private property, though penalties remain limited to fines (capped at $500 per violation) without jail time. The bill updates multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated (Title 70) to standardize maximum fines at $500 for various hunting and fishing violations. It takes effect July 1, 2025, for offenses committed on or after that date.

SB 221 allows Tennessee courts to use juvenile court records - including past dispositions and evidence - in pretrial reports for setting bond in certain criminal cases. It requires magistrates to consider a defendant's prior juvenile record when determining their risk of danger to the community. This change directly affects individuals with prior juvenile court involvement who are facing criminal charges and undergoing bond hearings. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 37-1-133, 37-1-153, and 40-11-118 to permit this use of juvenile records, which were previously prohibited in non-juvenile court proceedings.

SB 416 requires virtual schools operated by local education agencies (LEAs) to use curricula and instructional materials that meet or exceed Tennessee’s state academic standards, with no exceptions for waivers. It establishes a process where the state textbook commission must review public complaints about non-compliant materials within 60 days and issue written findings to the schools. If materials fail to meet standards, the school must immediately switch to approved alternatives. This law directly affects virtual schools and the textbook commission, ensuring accountability through resident feedback and timely evaluations.

SB 136 allows county and city council members in Tennessee to join legislative meetings online during family/medical emergencies, military service, or severe weather. Local governments must adopt this policy by a two-thirds vote, and online participation is limited to 20% of members (capped at three people) per meeting, with no more than two online appearances per member yearly. All meetings using this option must remain publicly accessible via live audio/video, with recordings available within two business days. The law, effective May 9, 2025, applies to both county and municipal legislative bodies.

SB 438 creates an advisory task force to examine solid waste management issues in Tennessee and authorizes the Department of Environment and Conservation to accept voluntary contributions and apply for private grants for recycling infrastructure, recycling projects, and composting initiatives. The bill requires the department to publish a report on its website regarding these efforts. It amends multiple sections of Tennessee law related to waste management, including provisions for grant funding and reporting. The bill became effective on May 9, 2025.

SB 231 requires Tennessee health insurance plans to cover speech therapy specifically for stuttering, including both habilitative (helping learn or improve communication skills) and rehabilitative (helping restore lost skills) services. The law prohibits annual visit limits, prior authorization, restrictions based on the cause of stuttering, and excludes utilization review for these services, while mandating coverage for both in-person and telehealth options. This requirement applies to health benefit plans renewing or issuing policies on or after July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects insured individuals seeking speech therapy for stuttering and insurers offering health coverage in Tennessee.

SB 484 allows home producers to sell certain homemade food items without state licensing or inspection, directly affecting small-scale home cooks. The bill exempts non-hazardous foods (like baked goods) and specific meat/dairy items (under federal inspection rules) from most state food regulations, provided producers sell directly to consumers or through third parties for non-meat/dairy items. It requires clear labeling with producer details, ingredients, and an allergen warning, and mandates proper temperature control for perishable items during delivery. The law applies to food made in private residences and takes effect July 1, 2025.