HB 2480 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Public Defenders - As introduced, creates five additional social worker positions in the public defender system. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4.

HB 2480 creates five new social worker positions within Tennessee's public defender offices, effective July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects public defenders and their clients, particularly those needing social services support during legal proceedings. The key provision amends Tennessee Code (Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4) to establish these additional roles. The bill does not alter legal procedures or funding mechanisms but increases staffing capacity for social work services in the public defense system.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Apr 15, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
9
Committee
12
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Clay Doggett
Clay Doggett
RRepublican
TN
70