Senate approves transfer of Tennessee Human Rights Commission enforcement to Attorney General's office

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Senate voted to transfer investigation and enforcement authority for the Tennessee Human Rights Act from the Tennessee Human Rights Commission to a new Division of Civil Rights Enforcement inside the state Attorney General’s office.

Sponsor Senator Brent Stevens (Senator Stevens) told the Senate the change would “abolish the commission effective 07/01/2025” and place investigatory and enforcement responsibilities under the attorney general, who would have authority to investigate complaints and file suit on behalf of aggrieved persons and the state.

Supporters argued the commission had been slow to resolve complaints and that the attorney general’s office is better equipped to conduct timely, thorough investigations. “I think the Attorney General’s Office is the most appropriate place to handle these claims,” Stevens said, adding that the attorney general is appointed by the state Supreme Court and therefore “the least partisan of all three bodies within our constitution.”

Opponents, including Senator Oliver, said the commission’s independence and community representation matter for people seeking redress. Oliver noted vacancies on the commission and said the legislature had declined to fill them, which impaired the panel’s ability to act. “This is not just about race. This is about vulnerable people in our state who are being discriminated against and treated unfairly,” Oliver said.

Senator Roberts, who supported the measure, said the commission had repeatedly failed to serve complainants promptly. “This is an entity that has steadfastly been enormously ineffective,” Roberts said, urging lawmakers to place enforcement where it would be acted on.

Under the bill as explained on the floor, pending Human Rights Commission matters that were “far enough along” would be transferred for AG review; Stevens estimated roughly 30 to 40 such matters. The bill also preserves individuals’ private right of action to sue outside the administrative process and provides a 90‑day window for claimants whose matters are dismissed to refile under the new structure, language Stevens pointed to on the floor.

The attorney general’s office would gain access to the commission’s records and would exercise investigatory powers similar to those used under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, the sponsor said. Supporters cited other states that shifted similar responsibilities to their attorney general’s offices.

The Senate approved the measure on third and final consideration by a constitutional majority. The clerk recorded the final vote as Ayes 47, Nays 6.

Sources and next steps: The bill moves to the statutory process for final enactment; the text on the floor sets the effective date for the abolition of the independent commission as July 1, 2025, and directs the transfer of records and responsibilities to the attorney general’s office.

Ending note: Debate on the floor reflected a split between members focused on agency performance statistics and members emphasizing independent, community-facing review of civil-rights complaints.