This bill prevents Tennessee counties with charter governments from reducing a sheriff's budget below the previous year's level for essential services (like personnel salaries, benefits, and operations) without the sheriff's written approval. Sheriffs gain the authority to disapprove any budget changes that would cut personnel, operations, or capital spending below their proposed level. County legislative bodies can override a sheriff's disapproval only with a two-thirds vote. It directly affects sheriffs and county councils in charter counties regarding budget decisions for core sheriff functions.
HB 2019 amends Tennessee law to clarify where lawsuits can be filed to dissolve nonprofit corporations. It specifies that the Attorney General and Reporter can file such cases in counties where the corporation's principal office is located (or its registered office if none exists in Tennessee), where the corporation conducted activities like soliciting donations, where the Attorney General has an office, or in Davidson, Sumner, or Williamson counties. For other parties seeking dissolution, cases must be filed where the corporation's principal office was located. This bill changes venue rules for existing legal proceedings but does not create new requirements for nonprofits.
SB 1745, the "Banning Bostock Act," amends Tennessee's discrimination laws to explicitly exclude protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and gender-related issues from state sex discrimination statutes. The bill prohibits state laws from being interpreted to ban discrimination based on homosexuality, transgender status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender non-conforming behavior. It also prevents courts from applying the Supreme Court's *Bostock v. Clayton County* ruling (which expanded workplace protections for LGBTQ+ people) when interpreting Tennessee's anti-discrimination laws. The law specifically allows sex-segregated facilities (like restrooms and sports teams) and sex-specific dress codes, while removing abortion-related conduct from protected categories under sex discrimination law. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 1746 modifies Tennessee law to allow private citizens and organizations to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages without legal repercussions. It explicitly states they are not required to comply with the 14th Amendment or the *Obergefell v. Hodges* ruling regarding same-sex marriage recognition. The bill also prohibits disciplinary action against attorneys who decline to officiate same-sex marriage ceremonies, amending Title 17 (professional responsibility) and Title 36 (marriage laws). The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to actions occurring on or after that date.
SB 1955 amends Tennessee's criminally negligent homicide law to define "criminally negligent conduct" as including failing to render aid to someone unconscious or needing medical care after controlled substance use, when the bystander knows or should know about the substance connection. It directly affects individuals who witness medical emergencies involving drugs but choose not to assist. The key provision expands the criminal definition to cover such inaction, making it a specific element of the offense. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to cases involving controlled substances as defined in Tennessee law.
HB 1467 exempts disaster grants administered by Tennessee's Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) from most state procurement rules, allowing faster distribution during emergencies. This applies to grants awarded directly to the state or to recipients/subrecipients for disaster response and recovery programs. The bill requires TEMA to maintain procedures for monitoring grant compliance (including book audits) and specifies that Section 12-3-602 of state law still applies to these grants. The change directly affects TEMA, local governments, and organizations receiving disaster funds by streamlining procurement while retaining oversight authority.
SB 291 extends the deadline for healthcare license applicants or holders facing denial due to a prior criminal conviction to file a court challenge in Davidson County. It changes the timeframe from 30 to 60 business days after receiving a denial notice from a licensing authority. This procedural bill affects individuals seeking or renewing licenses in Tennessee’s healthcare professions (like nurses or doctors) who must challenge denials based on past criminal records. The change applies to cases filed in Davidson County chancery court under Tennessee law.
SB 737 creates a new "covenant marriage" option in Tennessee, requiring couples to undergo specific premarital counseling emphasizing marriage as a lifelong commitment. To enter a covenant marriage, couples must sign a declaration stating they understand marriage is for life and commit to counseling before seeking divorce. Divorce is only permitted if there is a "complete breach" of the marital covenant, such as abandonment or criminal behavior. This option applies only to couples who choose it when applying for a marriage license or later converting an existing marriage through a county clerk filing.
SB 993 extends the deadline for individuals with suspended or revoked handgun permits to request court review of the decision from 30 to 60 days. This change directly affects permit holders whose permits were suspended or revoked by the Tennessee Department of Safety. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 10, 29, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 49, 50, and 70) to update this review period, providing more time for affected individuals to seek judicial review.
SB 1405 extends the deadline for permit holders in Tennessee to notify the Department of Safety of a new address from 60 days to 90 days after moving. This change directly affects individuals and businesses holding permits regulated under Tennessee law (such as those for firearms, professional licenses, or commercial activities). The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law across multiple code titles to update this notification timeframe. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025, providing permit holders with additional time to update their address records.
SB 824 removes the criminal penalty for possessing a firearm in a building or on property that is properly posted with signage prohibiting weapons. It also eliminates the requirement for the Department of Safety to suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for violations of this rule. Property owners who want to restrict firearms must now install metal detectors and employ trained security staff at all public entrances to enforce the ban. This bill affects businesses, venues, and permit holders in Tennessee, taking effect July 1, 2025.
SB 661 changes the deadline for Tennessee's fiscal committee to report annual inflation data used to adjust criminal fines from January 15 to February 15 each year. The committee must calculate how fines should increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to reflect inflation. This affects all criminal offense classifications under Tennessee's criminal codes (Titles 16, 36-40, 49, 55, 65). The bill requires updating minimum and maximum fines every five years to match cost-of-living changes.
