Tennessee Bills

HB 112 would have expanded bereavement leave for certain state employees in Tennessee. It specifically added staff from the Tennessee sports wagering council and full-time members of the parole board and inmate disciplinary oversight board to the list of employees eligible for extended leave. The bill proposed granting up to 10 days of paid leave for the death of a spouse, child, or stepchild, 5 days for parents or stepparents, and 3 days for siblings, grandparents, or foster parents. These changes applied only to employees covered under the amended sections of state law, which were not enacted as the bill was withdrawn on February 5, 2025.

HB 159, introduced in Tennessee but withdrawn on February 5, 2025, would have increased penalties for reckless endangerment involving firearms. Specifically, it proposed raising the penalty for discharging a firearm (including antique firearms) into an *occupied* motor vehicle from a Class E felony to a Class C felony. If the vehicle was unoccupied at the time, the offense would have remained a Class D felony. The bill directly affected individuals who recklessly fire into vehicles, aiming to strengthen criminal penalties for this specific dangerous act.

HB 356 requires Tennessee public schools to observe November 7 annually as "Victims of Communism Day" and mandate at least 45 minutes of instruction in world history courses about communist regimes' impacts. It specifically directs schools to cover topics like Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, Stalin’s Soviet system, and how victims suffered through poverty, violence, and suppressed rights. The bill affects all local education agencies and public charter schools offering world history courses to high school students. It does not alter existing curriculum standards but adds a required annual observance and instructional component. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on February 5, 2025, per recent actions.)

HB 730, introduced in Tennessee (but later withdrawn), would have required the state agriculture commissioner and veterinarian to obtain prior approval from a joint legislative committee before ordering animal vaccinations or tests - except during declared emergencies. It also removed liability from animal owners for disposing of dead animals and clarified how compensation payments (indemnities) would be calculated for animals destroyed under state authority. The bill aimed to change oversight of animal health measures while adjusting financial responsibilities for owners and officials. Note: The bill was filed but withdrawn on February 5, 2025, and did not become law.

HB 750 requires law enforcement agencies providing armed security at Tennessee schools to submit annual reports by September 1st to the governor, education committee chairs, and the education commissioner. These reports must detail security gaps and suggest improvements for each school using armed officers, with consolidated reporting allowed for multiple agencies in one county. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies managing school security and would have amended specific Tennessee Code sections. Note: The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, but withdrawn the same day (February 5, 2025) and never advanced.

HB 690 designated December 14 of each year as "Hazel Moore Day" in Tennessee, requiring the governor to issue an annual proclamation. The bill amended Tennessee Code Titles 3 and 4 to formally establish this day of observance. However, the bill was withdrawn on February 5, 2025, after being introduced on February 3, and never became law. This was a ceremonial designation without substantive policy changes.

HB 806 would rename "handgun carry permits" to "firearm carry permits" across Tennessee law, allowing permit holders to carry any legally owned firearm - not just handguns - under their existing permit. It directly affects current permit holders, who would automatically have their permits deemed "enhanced firearm carry permits" starting July 2025 without needing reissuance. The bill amends 37 sections of Tennessee Code (including Title 39 on firearms and Title 40 on licensing) to replace "handgun" with "firearm" in all relevant references. This change clarifies that permits cover all legally possessed firearms, not just handguns, and applies to both new and existing permits.

HB 800 would prohibit discrimination against students and employees in Tennessee's public schools and colleges based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status. It specifically requires that antisemitic discrimination be treated identically to racial discrimination, mandating that schools designate Title VI coordinators to investigate complaints and report unresolved incidents to federal agencies within 30 days. The bill clarifies that criticism of Israel alone is not antisemitic and ensures the law does not override free speech protections under the First Amendment. These provisions apply directly to all public K-12 schools and colleges receiving state or federal funding in Tennessee.

SB 18 requires Tennessee public schools to create policies mandating students keep wireless devices (like phones, tablets, and laptops) turned off and stored during class time, with grade-specific rules: K-8 students must keep devices off/stowed all day, while 9-12 students must do so during instructional time. Exceptions include teacher-approved educational use, health monitoring with a provider's note, and device use permitted by a student’s IEP or 504 plan. The policy also mandates schools establish a process for contacting parents during emergencies. This applies to all public schools and charter schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

SB 195 prohibits vehicle manufacturers, corporations, and third parties from sharing, selling, or distributing a vehicle's driving data without the explicit, written consent of the vehicle owner. It defines "driving data" broadly to include information from sensors, infotainment systems, telematics, and connected devices (like brake events, location, or vehicle health). Entities must disclose how data is collected and obtain annual written consent, with easy mechanisms for owners to revoke permission. The bill does not apply to data shared with government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under federal law. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on February 5, 2025, per recent actions.)

HB 362 requires Tennessee's TACIR (Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations) to study the economic impact of cosmetology and barbering professions in the state, including revenue generated and jobs created. The study must be conducted using existing TACIR resources, with input requested from the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Upon completion, TACIR must report findings and recommendations - including any proposed legislation - to the relevant legislative committees (Commerce and Labor in the Senate and the House committee overseeing cosmetology/barbering) and provide a copy to the legislative librarian. This bill does not change current laws but mandates a study to inform future policy decisions affecting these professions.

HB 460 creates a process for individuals to challenge when their name or address was filed with Tennessee's Secretary of State without their consent. To file a complaint, individuals must provide specific details about the document, their relationship to the filer, and submit under penalty of law. If the Secretary of State finds clear evidence of unauthorized filing, they can void the document, though no filing fee refund is provided to the original filer. This directly affects people whose personal information was submitted without permission and businesses that filed such records.