Prisons and Reformatory Institutions - As introduced, prohibits this state or a local government from entering into a new contract or renewing an existing contract for the provision of correctional services for an inmate under the custody and care of the department of correction or the local government. - Amends TCA Title 41, Chapter 24.

HB 1938 prohibits Tennessee state agencies and local governments (counties, cities, or metropolitan governments) from entering new contracts or renewing existing contracts for private prisons. It directly affects entities currently using private facilities to house inmates under the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction or local governments. The bill amends Tennessee law to ban all new or renewed agreements for correctional services or facilities for these inmates, effective upon enactment. This bill is currently pending in the State & Local Government Committee after being introduced in early 2026.