Tennessee House Bill HB0066

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Refer: 3/5/25
• Refer: 3/12/25
• Refer: 3/24/25
• Engrossed: 4/1/25
• Enrolled: 4/8/25
• Passed: 4/24/25
• Chaptered: 4/28/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 10-7-504, relative to public employees.

Impact

If enacted, HB0066 would significantly alter how the state manages public employees' personal information. It reflects a growing concern about privacy, particularly in contexts where public servants could be susceptible to harassment or unwanted attention due to their workplace ties. By preventing the disclosure of residential information, the bill aims to establish a safer environment for public employees, potentially increasing their willingness to serve without fear of personal repercussions resulting from their public roles.

Summary

House Bill 66 (HB0066) seeks to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 10-7-504. The bill revolves around the privacy of public employees by addressing the handling of residential information. This legislation proposes to delete a subdivision in the current code and replace it with provisions that safeguard residential details such as street addresses, cities, states, and zip codes for state, county, municipal, or other public employees. The intent is to ensure that personal residential information remains confidential and is not publicly disclosed, which advocates argue is a necessary protection for individuals serving in public roles.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB0066 appears largely supportive, particularly among advocates for public employee rights and privacy. Proponents emphasize the importance of safeguarding personal information in an era where privacy concerns are paramount, particularly for individuals in the public sphere. Conversely, there may be critics who argue that such amendments could impede transparency and public access to information, although no significant contention has surfaced based on current discussion snippets.

Contention

While the bill is generally well-received, potential points of contention could arise if opponents argue that restricting access to residential information of public employees undermines accountability. There may be concerns over how private information is classified and the balance between public interest and personal privacy, which could lead to debates on managing public records. However, the overwhelming sentiment suggests that the push for protecting personal information is gaining traction, reflecting a broader discourse on privacy rights.