Tennessee legislation · 114th General Assembly
Tennessee HB1671: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 71, Chapter 5, relative to the relocation of homeless persons.
Status: Chaptered, May 5, 2026
Fiscal Summary NOT SIGNIFICANT Bill Summary This bill prohibits a local governmental entity from doing either of the following: Relocating a homeless individual to another jurisdiction, unless the local governmental entity receives written consent for such relocation from the receiving jurisdiction. Using public funds to relocate homeless individuals to other jurisdictions, unless the local governmental entity verifies that housing and other necessary services are available for the homeless individuals in the receiving jurisdiction. This bill authorizes the attorney general to seek civil penalties of up to $10,000 from a local governmental entity for each violation of this bill. A jurisdiction that is affected by such a violation may seek damages and injunctive relief against the entity. ON MARCH 26, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1788, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #2 adds that a local governmental entity may relocate a homeless individual to another jurisdiction, and use public funds for such relocation, if the relocation is made through a program established by the local governmental entity for the purpose of reuniting homeless individuals with their place of origin when proof of substantial ties to the place of origin exists. This amendment exempts local law enforcement agencies from this bill. This amendment removes this bill's authorization for the attorney general and reporter to seek civil penalties for violations. ON APRIL 6, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1788 FOR HOUSE BILL 1671, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1788, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #2 makes a technical clarification to indicate that this bill prohibits a local governmental entity from relocating a homeless individual to another jurisdiction unless: (1) The local governme
What the bill says
From the amended text:
Amendment No. 2 to HB1671 Rudd Signature of Sponsor AMEND S e n ate Bill No. 1788 House Bill No. 1671* by deleting all language after the enacting clause and substituting: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7, Chapter 51, is amended by adding the following as a new part: 7-51-2801. (a) A local governmental entity shall not relocate a homeless individual to another jurisdiction unless: (1) The local governmental entity receives written consent for such relocation from the receiving jurisdiction; and (2) The relocation is made through a program established by the local governmental entity for the purpose of reuniting homeless individuals with their place of origin when proof of substantial ties to the place of origin exists. (b) This section does not apply to a local law enforcement agency. 7-51-2802. (a) A local governmental entity shall not use public funds to relocate homeless individuals to other jurisdictions unless: (1) The local governmental entity verifies that housing and other necessary services are available for the homeless individuals in the receiving jurisdiction; or (2) The relocation is made through a program established by the local governmental entity for the purpose of reuniting homeless individuals with their place of origin when proof of substantial ties to the place of origin exists. HA0983 (b) This section does not apply to a local …