Rep. Jody Barrett

Maddy summaryHJR 560 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Virginia Gray, a longtime Dickson County educator and community leader who passed away. It formally expresses the Tennessee General Assembly's sympathy to her family and commemorates her life, including her 30+ years in education, service as a county commissioner, and dedication to community initiatives. The resolution has no binding policy effects or direct impact on residents, as it solely serves to memorialize her legacy. It was unanimously approved by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHJR 512 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Officer Robert A. Jackson Jr. for his 30+ years of service with the Tennessee Capitol Police upon his retirement. It has no policy impact or binding provisions - it simply recognizes his career through formal acknowledgment in the state legislature. The resolution cites his military service (including Air Force Security Police and nuclear missile base duties), transition to Capitol Police, and personal life. It was passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor in April 2025. This is a non-binding tribute with no effect on laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HJR 508) passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to commemorate The Elephant Sanctuary of Tennessee's 30th anniversary. It formally honors the sanctuary, its mission of providing permanent refuge for retired circus and zoo elephants, and key contributors Lois Knight and Dr. William Schaffner. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic recognition of the sanctuary's work. It was signed into law by the governor on April 15, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 479 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the Dickson County High School boys' basketball team for winning the 2025 TSSAA Region 7-4A championship. It specifically commends the team, including MVP C.J. Holt and All-Tournament teammates Xander Holt and D.J. Ham, along with head coach Jay Powlas. The resolution formally recognizes their athletic achievement and character, extending "best wishes for every continued success." As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves solely to publicly acknowledge the team's accomplishments.

Maddy summaryHJR 474 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Trooper Robert A. Jackson, Jr. of the Tennessee Highway Patrol on his retirement after over 30 years of service. The resolution recognizes his career, including his time in the U.S. Air Force (safeguarding nuclear missiles and serving at bases in Montana and Germany), his work with the Capitol Hill Highway Patrol detachment, and his personal life. It does not create new laws, alter policies, or affect any specific group or program - it is solely a formal expression of appreciation from the Tennessee General Assembly.

Maddy summaryHJR 327 is a symbolic resolution designating May 2025 as "Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month" in Tennessee. It does not create new laws or affect specific individuals or policies; instead, it formally recognizes the need for greater public and medical awareness of these conditions. The resolution highlights that EDS and HSD are rare connective tissue disorders affecting about 1 in 5,000 people, causing symptoms like joint instability and tissue fragility, with limited local expertise for management. It was passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor on April 7, 2025, as a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryHB 221 allows individuals to sue commercial entities (such as businesses distributing obscene material) for civil damages if they knowingly violate Tennessee's obscenity laws. The bill creates a new civil cause of action for nominal damages, actual damages, punitive damages (if applicable), court costs, and attorney fees without requiring a prior criminal conviction. It specifically exempts internet service providers from liability for content they didn't create, such as when merely providing access to websites. This legislation amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Titles 28 and 39, to expand civil remedies for victims of obscene material distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 206 modifies Tennessee's involuntary mental health commitment process. It requires hospitals to notify the committing court when an involuntarily committed patient becomes eligible for discharge, including the basis for that determination and any outpatient treatment plan. The court can then hold a hearing within 21 days to decide whether to release the patient or return them to the hospital, based on the hospital's recommendation. This change affects patients under involuntary commitment, courts, hospitals, and designated family members or legal representatives who receive notification. The bill creates a presumption that the hospital's discharge determination is correct unless challenged.

Maddy summaryHB 222 amends Tennessee law to allow civil lawsuits against commercial entities that publish websites containing content harmful to minors, enabling victims to seek actual damages, nominal damages, punitive damages (if applicable), court costs, and attorney fees. The bill specifies that violating obscenity laws related to minors' content can lead to civil liability for these same damages and requires the attorney general to issue guidance helping websites comply with age restrictions for such content. Additionally, the law permits these cases to be certified as class actions under Tennessee's civil procedure rules.

Maddy summaryHJR 326 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to formally honor the Creek Wood High School Lady Red Hawks girls' bowling team for finishing as runners-up in the TSSAA Division I state championship. It recognizes their 22-3 season record, tournament performance (including victories over Rhea County and Bartlett), and exemplary sportsmanship. The resolution commends the team members, coaches, and community support without creating any new laws or funding. This symbolic gesture has no direct policy impact but serves as a public acknowledgment of their athletic achievement.