TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

General Assembly Special Session Passes News Rules, School Safety Bills

Posted by: Paul Burch on Aug 22, 2023

The Tennessee General Assembly continued its second day of a special legislative session called by Gov. Bill Lee focused on public safety proposals in response to the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville last March, reports the Tennessean. The special session began with the adoption of new rules governing the proceedings and announcing committee assignments for two representatives expelled from the chamber in April for participating in a protest on the House floor. House subcommittees passed legislation addressing keeping minors’ autopsy reports private, allowing law enforcement officers, the military and handgun carry permit holders to carry a handgun openly or concealed in public schools and buses, establishing a loan forgiveness program for mental health professionals and several bills addressing school safety.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation eliminating sales tax on gun safes, requiring the TBI to give an updated report on human trafficking and the creation of a new deadline for court records to be entered into the state database used for background checks. Spectators crowded the committee rooms and three protesters were physically removed from the House Civil Justice Subcommittee for holding up signs during the committee proceedings. No end date for the session has been established. Senate and House Committees are scheduled to meet tomorrow at 8 am.

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