Tennessee House Bill HB1110

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to crime.

Impact

The implementation of HB1110 is expected to significantly influence the protocols followed by law enforcement agencies across Tennessee. By solidifying the requirement for an anti-racial profiling policy, the bill may lead to increased scrutiny of law enforcement practices, aiming to reduce instances of racial bias. Moreover, making these policies publicly accessible could empower community members to ensure compliance, fostering trust between the public and law enforcement agencies. This could lead, though, to mixed reactions within communities, as the effectiveness of such policies often hinges on genuine commitment to change rather than mere compliance with regulations.

Summary

House Bill 1110 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated by introducing provisions specifically targeting racial profiling within law enforcement agencies. The bill mandates that each agency develop a written policy explicitly prohibiting racial profiling and requires these policies to be publicly available on the agency's website. This legislative effort seeks to enhance accountability and promote transparency within law enforcement practices, which have been areas of growing concern in recent years. By formalizing the requirement for such policies, the bill aims to address systemic issues related to race and policing in the state.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support from advocates of civil rights and community policing efforts, there may be concerns from law enforcement agencies about the potential implications and the burden of enforcing these policies. Critics might argue that merely adopting a policy does not guarantee changes in behavior or address the underlying issues of racial bias within policing. Thus, the successful implementation of HB1110 could rely heavily on training and education for law enforcement personnel to ensure that the policy is not only upheld but effectively integrated into the overarching framework of law enforcement operations within the state.