HB 2212, titled the "Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act," prohibits Tennessee state and local government employees or contractors from purchasing or licensing personal data from companies instead of obtaining a warrant when legally required to do so. It creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for violations, with exceptions for emergency services, preventing imminent danger to individuals or the public, obtaining written consent, or complying with federal law. The law directly affects government entities handling sensitive data, ensuring they follow warrant procedures rather than bypassing them through data purchases. Key provisions clarify that "controller" (data companies) and "sensitive data" follow existing definitions in Tennessee law.
HB 2502 classifies international money transfers originating in Tennessee (sent outside the U.S. or its territories) as taxable services for licensed money transmission companies. It requires tax revenues from these transactions to be allocated as follows: 25% to the state general fund, 25% to counties for infrastructure projects based on population, 25% to a new K-12 teacher salary fund, and 25% to a law enforcement training pay supplement. The bill establishes a dedicated "international money transmission tax fund" to manage these revenues, with refunds available for taxpayers who apply between June 1-30 annually. This policy directly affects money transmission businesses operating under Tennessee's Money Transmission Modernization Act.
HB 2197 allows individuals seeking health care licenses in Tennessee to request a pre-application eligibility check based on criminal history both in writing and electronically, not just in writing. It updates the process by clarifying that the 30-day window to challenge a disqualification notice in court begins when the notice is received - whether sent by mail or electronically. This directly affects people with criminal records applying for health care licenses (e.g., nurses, pharmacists). The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-130(b) and (c) to implement these procedural changes.
HB 2168 amends Tennessee's public records law to require disclosure of specific information related to carrying out a death sentence. It makes the names of individuals directly involved in executions, the identity of suppliers providing execution drugs, and records of payments to suppliers or contractors public. However, it protects sensitive personal details like addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers of supplier employees. The bill aims to increase transparency in execution processes while maintaining safeguards for private information.
Tags
Government Transparency
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.
SB 2467 repeals Tennessee’s criminal penalties for carrying firearms in public parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas, and removes the prohibition on firearm possession for individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or stalking after five years from their conviction date. The bill updates state law to clarify that domestic violence convictions older than five years no longer disqualify someone from owning a firearm, provided their rights haven’t been restored through other means. It also modifies definitions to replace "handgun" with "firearm" in multiple sections and adds exceptions for juveniles possessing rifles/shotguns for specific activities like livestock protection. These changes directly affect people with past domestic violence or stalking convictions, park visitors, and firearm owners navigating state restrictions.
SB 2555 allows individuals with criminal histories to request pre-application eligibility determinations for health care licenses either in writing or electronically, rather than only in writing. It directly affects applicants seeking Tennessee health care licenses (e.g., nursing, pharmacy) who must disclose criminal records. The bill updates procedures so that licensing authorities must provide written or electronic notice of disqualification, and the 30-day window to challenge this in Davidson County court begins when the applicant receives either form of notice. These changes clarify and modernize the process for applicants while maintaining existing disqualification standards.
HB 2244 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to create two specialized envelopes for drivers with specific conditions: a blue envelope for drivers with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and a green envelope for drivers with mental illness. Each envelope will hold essential documents (driver license, vehicle registration, contact card) and include exterior communication guidelines to help law enforcement officers interact appropriately during traffic stops. The envelopes will be available starting January 1, 2027, at all driver services centers and county clerk offices. This bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-21-401 through 55-21-405.
SB 2170 requires county workhouse wardens to submit monthly reports to the sentencing judge about prisoners in work release programs. The reports, due by the 15th of each month, must detail each prisoner's conduct and financial achievements during the previous month. This bill directly affects county workhouses, wardens, and judges who oversee criminal sentences, updating Tennessee law (TCA Titles 5, 40, and 41) to mandate this judicial reporting. The key provision shifts reporting responsibility from previous entities to the sentencing judge, enhancing direct oversight of work release participants.
HB 2514 revises Tennessee's firearms laws by removing the offense of carrying a firearm "with intent to go armed" in K-12 schools, school buses, and university properties (when posted). It prohibits carrying firearms in K-12 schools/buses if the person intends to go armed, while eliminating similar restrictions for universities and colleges. The bill also rewrites rules around handgun possession while intoxicated, adds new definitions for "firearm" and "deadly force," and creates a legal presumption that threatening deadly force to defend property against unlawful entry is justified. It establishes immunity from prosecution for using justified force, including displaying weapons, unless the person knew the individual was a law enforcement officer or caused injury to an innocent bystander. These changes directly affect individuals carrying firearms in schools, campuses, or during property disputes.
