Tennessee House Bill HB2212

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26
• Refer: 2/5/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 39 and Title 47, relative to personal data.

Impact

The legislation proposes that any violation of this requirement would result in a Class B misdemeanor for the responsible individuals within the state or local governmental agencies. This adds a level of personal accountability and aims to deter government personnel from bypassing the warrant requirement by seeking to acquire information through alternative means. The bill also outlines specific exceptions under which personal data can still be obtained, such as in cases of emergency services, imminent danger, or when consent is given by the individual whose information is being requested.

Summary

House Bill 2212, also known as the 'Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act', seeks to amend the Tennessee Code by adding new restrictions on the purchase and licensing of personal and sensitive information by state agencies and local governmental entities. Specifically, the bill stipulates that these bodies cannot acquire such data without a warrant, reinforcing protections against unauthorized surveillance and data acquisition. The aim is to uphold individual privacy rights as recognized under the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Contention

Although the bill is rooted in the protection of personal data, points of contention may arise regarding its enforcement and the exceptions included. Critics may argue that the exceptions to the warrant requirement could create loopholes for misuse or misinterpretation, potentially allowing for the continued erosion of privacy rights under certain circumstances. Conversely, supporters will likely emphasize that the bill represents a critical step towards enhancing data security and ensuring that citizens' personal information is not treated as a commodity by governmental entities.