Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, states that unlawful detainer actions are confidential and shielded from public inspection if the action was filed on or after July 1, 2026, the case was dismissed by the court or a party, an appeal is not pending in the case, and three years have passed since the date the action was filed or the parties have agreed in writing to shield the records from public disclosure. - Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 29, Chapter 18 and Title 66.
HB 1940 makes records of certain eviction court cases confidential after specific conditions are met. It applies to unlawful detainer actions (landlord-tenant eviction cases) filed on or after July 1, 2026, that were dismissed, have no pending appeals, and either have passed three years since filing or have written agreement from all parties to shield records. The bill requires courts to keep these records private, removing them from public inspection under Tennessee law. This change affects landlords and tenants in dismissed eviction cases by limiting public access to their court records after the specified time or agreement. The bill does not alter eviction procedures or outcomes, only the accessibility of dismissed case records.
Bill status
failed
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026
Last action Mar 18, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Business and Utilities Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Commerce Committee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Business & Utilities Subcommittee
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Gloria Johnson
DDemocratic
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