Tennessee Bills

HB 2153, known as "Katherine's Law," creates a new offense called "aggravated domestic assault" under Tennessee law. This offense applies when someone intentionally or knowingly assaults a domestic abuse victim (as defined in existing law) using a deadly weapon, strangulation, or causing serious injury or death. Aggravated domestic assault is classified as a Class B felony, making it a more serious criminal charge than standard domestic assault. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and will apply to offenses occurring on or after that date.

SB 2628, the "Fair Background Check and Due Process Act," prevents background check companies from reporting unproven criminal charges (like pending cases, dismissals, or non-convictions) to employers, landlords, or licensing agencies, except for specific serious offenses like theft, fraud, or violent crimes. It directly affects job applicants, renters, and license seekers who have arrest records without convictions. The bill requires background checks to only include convictions or excluded offenses, while allowing employers to ask about job-related conduct and conduct required licensing checks. This changes how background checks are conducted for employment, housing, and licensing in Tennessee.

SB 2263 modifies Tennessee law to allow the Attorney General's office to submit its annual consumer affairs report electronically instead of in paper form. This change affects the Attorney General's office, which must now file the report with the General Assembly using electronic methods, and the General Assembly, which receives the report. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee Code (Titles 29, 37, 39, and 47) to update the reporting requirement, adding "and may be submitted electronically" to the relevant provision. It is a procedural update with no new consumer protections or policy changes.

SB 1617 requires Tennessee county legislative bodies to adopt formal rules of procedure within 90 days of convening a newly elected body, using a majority vote. It mandates that any subsequent changes to these rules require a two-thirds vote of the county legislative body. The bill specifies that Robert's Rules of Order will govern proceedings when local rules don't address an issue. This procedural bill directly affects all Tennessee counties' elected county legislative bodies, standardizing their internal operational rules. The legislation amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5, to establish these requirements.

SB 2016, if enacted, would make records of certain landlord-tenant eviction cases confidential and shield them from public access. This applies to cases filed on or after July 1, 2026, that are dismissed (by court or parties), have no pending appeals, and either have passed three years since filing or include a written agreement by all parties to keep records private. The bill specifies that such records remain accessible to courts, court staff, and the involved parties but are not open for public inspection under existing laws. It amends Tennessee Code sections related to court records and unlawful detainer actions, taking effect upon becoming law.

SB 1768 requires Tennessee's Secretary of State to place an advisory ballot question on the 2026 November general election ballot asking voters if the state should authorize a regulated medical cannabis program for qualifying patients. If approved, the program would generate tax revenue dedicated to after-school programs, mental health services, law enforcement training, and community cannabis education. The bill does not create the program itself but seeks voter approval for its implementation through a binding referendum. This would directly affect medical cannabis patients and state funding allocations, with no immediate legislative changes enacted.

HB 1633 amends Tennessee law to clarify which bank account details state agencies must keep confidential. It specifies that confidential information includes debit card numbers, PINs, account numbers, routing numbers, financial institution details, and personal identifiers like tax ID numbers and addresses tied to accounts. The bill directly affects state agencies handling financial data, requiring them to protect these specific details. This change modifies existing law (TCA Section 10-7-504) without creating new programs or penalties.

SB 1616 expands Tennessee's disability benefits for firefighters by including arson investigators in the definition of "firefighter" under state law. Specifically, it amends Tennessee Code to clarify that arson investigators employed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) or county sheriff's departments are now covered by the presumption that cancer diagnosed during their service was caused by their job. This change directly affects these arson investigators, allowing them to qualify for disability benefits under the same provisions previously available only to traditional firefighters. The bill modifies existing statutes in Titles 7, 8, 50, and 56 to implement this expanded eligibility.

SB 1908, the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," requires public entities (like cities or counties) to pay property owners just compensation when new land use regulations reduce a property's fair market value. It exempts regulations related to public health/safety (e.g., building codes), federal requirements, or common nuisances. Property owners must submit a written demand within three years of the regulation's enactment and can choose either compensation or a modification of the regulation. This applies to properties acquired after the regulation's adoption, not to pre-existing rules.

HB 1715 would allow breastfeeding mothers in Tennessee to be excused from jury duty upon submitting a written request and a medical statement from a licensed physician to the jury coordinator. It amends Tennessee law (Title 22, Chapters 1 and 2) to require courts to excuse these mothers automatically when the documentation is provided. This directly affects breastfeeding mothers who receive jury summonses across Tennessee. The bill creates a clear, documented process for excusal, replacing the current system where such requests might be handled inconsistently.

SB 1669 removes state restrictions on commercial driver license (CDL) holders with certain medical conditions, provided they are certified as medically qualified by a federally certified medical examiner. The bill directly affects commercial drivers who meet federal medical standards (per 49 CFR 391.43) and hold a valid certification from a medical examiner listed on the national registry. It amends Tennessee law to ensure state regulations do not override federal medical qualifications for these drivers. This change allows qualified drivers to operate commercial vehicles without additional state-imposed medical restrictions.

SB 1851 removes three specific criminal prohibitions related to firearm possession in Tennessee. It eliminates penalties for carrying a firearm with intent to go armed if someone has certain stalking or DUI convictions under defined circumstances. It also removes the ban on firearm possession for people under 25 who were adjudicated delinquent for specific juvenile offenses. Additionally, the bill repeals the prohibition against carrying weapons in public parks, playgrounds, and other recreational areas. These changes amend multiple sections of Tennessee's firearm laws (TCA Titles 16, 36-40, 49, and 65).