Tennessee Bills

SB 1622 requires Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services to create a statewide, county-level quality assurance program by July 2027. The program must measure service quality through outcomes like child safety and permanency, using county coordinators and committees to track progress. The department must submit quarterly progress reports to the legislature starting in 2026 and publicly post annual county performance grades on its website. This affects county child welfare offices, social workers, and the department’s service delivery system, aiming to improve outcomes for children and families through data-driven feedback.

SB 1849 shortens the deadline for Tennessee counties to post revisions to their charter of incorporation on their official websites. It reduces the current three-month posting window to two months, affecting all Tennessee counties required to maintain public access to charter documents. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated (Titles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 67) to implement this change. This is a procedural adjustment focused on streamlining local government administrative requirements. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and has advanced through initial committee stages.

SB 1847 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-14-211(b), by extending the time period for using deadly force to protect property from 24 to 48 hours. This change lowers the legal standard for justifying deadly force by allowing more time to respond to property threats. The bill directly affects property owners and residents facing property crimes, as it expands circumstances where deadly force could be considered lawful. The amendment specifically modifies a statute governing the use of force in defense of property, not firearms regulation.

SB 1992 creates a new Class E felony offense for intentionally influencing the outcome of an event when a person or another party has a financial contract with a prediction market that benefits from that outcome. It directly affects individuals using prediction markets - defined as platforms where people trade contracts based on unknown future events - such as sports, elections, or economic indicators. The law prohibits conduct meant to sway results for personal financial gain through these markets, treating violations as serious criminal offenses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and defines "prediction-market" specifically to clarify the scope of the new crime.

SB 1681 requires Tennessee hospital emergency departments to provide an immediate medical screening examination to any pregnant woman presenting with active labor or an emergency medical condition. It prohibits transfers before stabilization (as defined by federal EMTALA standards) unless the woman or her authorized representative provides written consent after being informed of risks and benefits. The bill applies directly to hospitals and pregnant women seeking emergency care, mandating that facilities offer appropriate treatment or transfer under specific conditions. Violations may result in penalties and licensing sanctions, as the law amends Tennessee Codes Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1592 creates automatic processes to prevent budget deadlocks affecting Tennessee municipalities and their local school districts (LEAs). If a city council and school board fail to agree on a school budget by August 31, the LEA receives minimum state-mandated school funding - plus a 3% mandatory increase after three consecutive years of disagreement. For general municipal operations, if a city council misses the fiscal year budget deadline, the previous year’s budget continues with strict spending limits (capped at prior-year monthly allotments) until a new budget is adopted, extendable only for up to three months with state comptroller approval. The bill directly affects all Tennessee cities with school districts and their governing bodies, ensuring basic services continue during budget disputes.

SB 1665 amends Tennessee law to explicitly include "honorifics" (such as "Mx." or "Dr.") alongside names and pronouns in prohibitions against requiring students, teachers, state employees, or contractors to use or provide specific identifiers. The bill updates multiple sections of the Tennessee Code (including education, employment, and contractor regulations) to replace phrases like "names and pronouns" with "names, pronouns, and honorifics." This change means state entities cannot mandate the use of specific honorifics, just as they cannot mandate preferred names or pronouns. The law affects all public education staff, state workers, and state contractors in Tennessee.

SB 1490 allows local historical boards in Tennessee to lease their land (5+ contiguous acres for crops, less than 5 for hay or similar crops) to farmers. All money earned from these leases must be used solely to preserve historic sites and structures under the board's management. Boards must submit annual reports detailing these leases and how the funds were spent to the Tennessee Historical Commission. This bill directly affects local historical commissions and preservation groups by creating a new revenue stream for maintaining historic properties.

SB 1493 creates a Class A felony offense for knowingly training AI systems that encourage suicide, criminal homicide, or develop emotional relationships with users. It specifically prohibits AI chatbots from simulating human appearance/voice, acting as a mental health professional, or prompting users to isolate from family or share sensitive information. The bill directly affects AI developers and companies creating chatbots that meet its definitions, excluding standard customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants. Violators face criminal penalties and civil lawsuits allowing victims to seek $150,000 in liquidated damages or actual harm compensation.

SB 198 allows Tennessee's property assessment division to submit its annual report to the State Board of Equalization electronically instead of in paper format. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, specifically Section 67-1-202(a)(7), to permit this electronic submission method. This change directly affects the property assessment division (which prepares the report) and the State Board of Equalization (which receives it). The law makes no other policy changes - only updates the required report delivery method.

SB 254 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to submit an annual report by February 1st on the effectiveness of diverting offenders from state prisons. The report must be sent to the House Criminal Justice Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, and Fiscal Review Committee. This bill amends Tennessee law to establish this specific reporting requirement for diversion programs, focusing on how well they reduce prison populations. It directly affects the Department of Correction (which must file the report) and the three legislative committees (which will review it). The bill is procedural and does not change diversion program rules or funding.

SB 599 extends the reporting deadline for certain nonprofits partnering with Tennessee's Governor's Books from Birth Fund. It changes the requirement from 90 days to 180 days after the nonprofit's fiscal year ends, giving these organizations more time to report operations and accomplishments to the governor and legislative leaders. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Section 4-52-109, specifically updating the reporting timeframe without altering the program's purpose or funding. The change applies only to nonprofit public benefit corporations under this specific grant program.