Tennessee Bills

SB 2481 changes the timeframe for county boards to notify applicants about licenses for adult-oriented establishments. It replaces "ten (10) days" with "ten (10) business days" in Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-51-1107(b), requiring boards to issue decisions within 10 business days after receiving investigation results. This directly affects applicants seeking licenses for adult-oriented businesses and county boards responsible for processing these applications. The bill makes a procedural adjustment to clarify that the deadline excludes weekends and holidays.

SB 2566, the "Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act," criminalizes an adult’s behavior intended to build trust or control with a minor (under 18) or a mentally compromised individual (e.g., someone with autism, Down syndrome, or severe anxiety) for sexual purposes. It defines "grooming" as online or in-person communication meant to lure, prepare, or facilitate sexual contact or exploitation. Penalties range from a Class E felony (standard) to a Class A felony if the victim is under 13, with harsher penalties for prior sex offenses or positions of trust. The law supplements existing child protection statutes but does not replace them, taking effect July 1, 2026.

HB 2259 (Tennessee) protects healthcare providers and organizations when discussing adverse patient incidents with patients or families. It states that good-faith communications about quality improvement committee (QIC) activities - such as explaining what happened after a medical error - are not considered waivers of legal confidentiality protections. These discussions, including offers of resolution, remain privileged, cannot be used in court, and do not imply liability. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, patients, and families in Tennessee by creating a safe space for open communication after adverse incidents without legal risk.

SB 2161 changes Tennessee's bail procedures for defendants who miss court appearances. It removes the requirement for courts to enter bench warrants into state/federal databases for misdemeanor failures involving violence or sex, or for non-violent/non-sexual felonies. The bill extends the deadline for entering felony failure-to-appear warrants from 3 to 10 business days and allows courts to optionally relieve bail bond sureties of liability if the defendant isn't listed in databases within that timeframe. These changes directly affect courts (in their database entry duties), defendants (in fugitive status), and bail bond sureties (in liability relief options).

SB 2413 protects patient privacy by clarifying that healthcare providers or organizations can share information about quality improvement committee (QIC) activities with patients or their families without losing legal confidentiality protections. It allows voluntary, open discussions after adverse healthcare incidents (like patient injuries or deaths) to focus on solutions and settlements, without admitting liability. These communications remain confidential, cannot be used in court, and must include warnings about legal rights. The bill ensures such disclosures are separate from QIC proceedings and shields providers from liability when discussions occur in good faith.

HB 2374 changes Tennessee court procedures for handling bench warrants when defendants fail to appear. It removes the requirement for courts to enter certain misdemeanor (violent/sexual) or non-violent felony bench warrants into state/federal databases, extends the time for entering felony warrants from 3 to 10 business days, and makes it optional for courts to relieve bail bond sureties of liability if warrants aren't entered within that timeframe. The bill directly affects courts, bail bond companies, and defendants who skip court appearances. These changes modify administrative processes but do not alter criminal definitions or penalties.

SB 2223 requires Tennessee local governments (such as counties or cities) to comply with court orders declaring a sanctuary policy unlawful within 120 days of the order. It amends multiple sections of Tennessee law, including deleting a reference to a 90-day compliance period in Title 7. The bill directly affects jurisdictions with sanctuary policies challenged in court, setting a clear 120-day deadline for adjustments. This provision focuses on ensuring local governments adhere to judicial rulings on immigration-related policies without altering the policy's substance.

SB 2160 allows counties with metropolitan government (like large cities) to choose whether to lower the sales tax on grocery items or exempt them entirely from local sales tax. Counties must pass a resolution and submit it to the state Department of Revenue; the reduced rate or exemption takes effect on October 1, 2026, and applies only to tax periods starting after that date. The bill also removes outdated rules about reducing metropolitan council sizes. This directly affects grocery shoppers and retailers in participating counties by potentially lowering their sales tax burden.

HB 2157 changes the timeframe for notifying retired law enforcement officers about denied firearm permit applications. Specifically, it extends the notice period from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, requiring the state POST commission to provide this notification within the new window. The bill directly affects retired officers who apply for firearm carry permits and are denied. This is a procedural adjustment to the existing notification process, with no new requirements or substantive policy changes. (Bill text: Amends TCA §38-8-123(d)(2) to replace "ten (10) days" with "ten (10) business days.")

SB 2191 allows Tennessee counties, cities, or metropolitan governments (political subdivisions) to require developers to pay for offsite public infrastructure improvements - such as roads, utilities, stormwater systems, or sidewalks - needed to support future development beyond the developer's property boundary. The bill mandates that cost-sharing agreements must be based on the development's proportional impact on infrastructure, with local governments having 60 days to approve or deny requests. If disagreements arise, developers can seek resolution through the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation. This directly affects developers seeking approval for new projects and local governments managing infrastructure funding.

HB 2386 allows Tennessee counties, municipalities, or metropolitan governments to require developers to pay for necessary offsite public infrastructure (such as roads, utilities, or stormwater systems) that serve future development beyond the project site. The bill establishes that costs must be based on the development’s proportional impact on infrastructure, with local governments having 60 days to approve agreements. If disagreements arise, the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation can determine the cost-sharing amount. This directly affects developers planning new construction projects and local governments managing infrastructure planning.

SB 2405 changes Tennessee's law to extend the time the POST Commission must notify retired law enforcement officers of a denied firearm permit application, from 10 calendar days to 10 business days. This directly affects retired officers whose permit applications are denied by the POST Commission. The key provision adjusts the timeline for official notification, replacing calendar days with business days to account for weekends and holidays. This change provides retired officers with a more practical timeframe to address denial decisions.