Safety - As enacted, enacts the "Riley Gaines Women's Safety and Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49 and Title 68.
SB 468, the "Women's Safety and Protection Act," defines "female" and "male" biologically (based on reproductive systems at birth) for state law applications. It requires Tennessee state agencies to maintain separate facilities and accommodations for biological females in correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, domestic violence shelters, restrooms, and dormitories to protect safety and privacy. The bill mandates that biological sex - not gender identity - determines eligibility for these spaces, prohibiting agencies from banning such distinctions in settings where safety or privacy is a concern. It applies directly to women, girls, and facilities serving them, with specific provisions for restrooms, sleeping quarters, and shelter access. The law overrides conflicting state laws to enforce these biological sex-based definitions.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Signed May 22, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2025 · House Apr 15, 2025
How they voted
29–4
Passed
Total votes 33
Mar 27, 2025
D
Democratic5
80% Nay
R
Republican28
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
46
Key actions
16
Committee
9
Amendments
5
May 22, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conf. comm. report adopted, Ayes 71, Nays 18, PNV 0
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee report adopted, Ayes 25, Nays 5
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Committee appointed. (Stevens, Bowling, Gardenhire, Lamar, Kyle)
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Amended
Senate refused to concur in amendment
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 1 PNV 1
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Re-refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0370)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Amended
Am. tabled. (Amendment 2 - HA0416)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Amended
Am. tabled. (Amendment 3 - HA0417)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Amended
Am. tabled. (Amendment 4 - HA0418)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 72, Nays 22, PNV 0
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0143)
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 24, Nays 4
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/18/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/18/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Janice Bowling
RRepublican
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