HB 2197 allows individuals seeking health care licenses in Tennessee to request a pre-application eligibility check based on criminal history both in writing and electronically, not just in writing. It updates the process by clarifying that the 30-day window to challenge a disqualification notice in court begins when the notice is received - whether sent by mail or electronically. This directly affects people with criminal records applying for health care licenses (e.g., nurses, pharmacists). The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-130(b) and (c) to implement these procedural changes.
HB 2168 amends Tennessee's public records law to require disclosure of specific information related to carrying out a death sentence. It makes the names of individuals directly involved in executions, the identity of suppliers providing execution drugs, and records of payments to suppliers or contractors public. However, it protects sensitive personal details like addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers of supplier employees. The bill aims to increase transparency in execution processes while maintaining safeguards for private information.
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Government Transparency
SB 2566, the "Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act," criminalizes an adult’s behavior intended to build trust or control with a minor (under 18) or a mentally compromised individual (e.g., someone with autism, Down syndrome, or severe anxiety) for sexual purposes. It defines "grooming" as online or in-person communication meant to lure, prepare, or facilitate sexual contact or exploitation. Penalties range from a Class E felony (standard) to a Class A felony if the victim is under 13, with harsher penalties for prior sex offenses or positions of trust. The law supplements existing child protection statutes but does not replace them, taking effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2555 allows individuals with criminal histories to request pre-application eligibility determinations for health care licenses either in writing or electronically, rather than only in writing. It directly affects applicants seeking Tennessee health care licenses (e.g., nursing, pharmacy) who must disclose criminal records. The bill updates procedures so that licensing authorities must provide written or electronic notice of disqualification, and the 30-day window to challenge this in Davidson County court begins when the applicant receives either form of notice. These changes clarify and modernize the process for applicants while maintaining existing disqualification standards.
HB 2244 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to create two specialized envelopes for drivers with specific conditions: a blue envelope for drivers with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and a green envelope for drivers with mental illness. Each envelope will hold essential documents (driver license, vehicle registration, contact card) and include exterior communication guidelines to help law enforcement officers interact appropriately during traffic stops. The envelopes will be available starting January 1, 2027, at all driver services centers and county clerk offices. This bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-21-401 through 55-21-405.
SB 2170 requires county workhouse wardens to submit monthly reports to the sentencing judge about prisoners in work release programs. The reports, due by the 15th of each month, must detail each prisoner's conduct and financial achievements during the previous month. This bill directly affects county workhouses, wardens, and judges who oversee criminal sentences, updating Tennessee law (TCA Titles 5, 40, and 41) to mandate this judicial reporting. The key provision shifts reporting responsibility from previous entities to the sentencing judge, enhancing direct oversight of work release participants.
HB 2514 revises Tennessee's firearms laws by removing the offense of carrying a firearm "with intent to go armed" in K-12 schools, school buses, and university properties (when posted). It prohibits carrying firearms in K-12 schools/buses if the person intends to go armed, while eliminating similar restrictions for universities and colleges. The bill also rewrites rules around handgun possession while intoxicated, adds new definitions for "firearm" and "deadly force," and creates a legal presumption that threatening deadly force to defend property against unlawful entry is justified. It establishes immunity from prosecution for using justified force, including displaying weapons, unless the person knew the individual was a law enforcement officer or caused injury to an innocent bystander. These changes directly affect individuals carrying firearms in schools, campuses, or during property disputes.
SB 2420 (Tennessee) shortens the deadline for holding sentencing hearings in criminal cases from 45 days to 30 days after a guilty verdict. This change directly affects defendants convicted of crimes and the state court system, requiring faster scheduling of sentencing. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections in Titles 38, 39, and 40 to implement this timeline reduction. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 2395, titled the "Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act," prohibits state and local government employees or contractors from purchasing or licensing personal data instead of obtaining a warrant to access an individual's information. It creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for violations, directly affecting government officials who handle personal data under existing warrant requirements. Key exceptions include emergencies (like life-threatening situations), consent from the individual, or federal law mandates. The law amends multiple Tennessee code sections to enforce this requirement, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 2352 restricts access to juvenile court records in delinquency and unruly proceedings to specific court personnel, prosecutors, and public defenders when handling cases involving children. It amends Tennessee law to require that only judges, court staff, district attorneys, and public defenders may view these records while performing official duties related to child cases. The bill explicitly prohibits unauthorized disclosure of this information, reinforcing confidentiality protections for minors in juvenile court matters. This change directly affects minors involved in juvenile court cases and ensures their records are only accessible to authorized legal professionals handling their cases.
