Committee advances bill to move Human Rights Division to attorney general and create civil rights enforcement division

The State and Local Government Committee on March 19 voted to advance House Bill 9 10, which would move the Tennessee Human Rights Division into the attorney general’s office and create a Division of Civil Rights Enforcement.

Representative Garrett, who carried the bill, said the measure would relocate enforcement authority and add an additional claim allowing discrimination claims based on education. Garrett said the transition is intended to strengthen enforcement by placing civil‑rights enforcement within the attorney general’s office.

Representative Chisholm raised questions about how pending cases would be handled during the transition. Garrett said the bill, if passed and signed by the governor, would become effective on the governor’s signature date; the existing commission would wind down June 30 and the new division would begin July 1, 2025. Garrett said pending cases are authorized by statute to refile if the parties choose and that statute of limitations concerns would not arise as a result of the transition.

Other members voiced concern about shifting enforcement to the attorney general. Representative Powell said he appreciated the goal but asked whether the move would affect fair‑housing cases; Garrett said the intent was to bring enforcement authority under the full weight of the attorney general's office. Representative Palfour said he shared the end goals but expressed reservations about the attorney general's office participating in certain cases. Representative Mitchell objected to the timing and limited questioning during committee consideration and sought more time for questions.

An amendment (ending in 6224) was placed on the bill before consideration. The committee voted 17 ayes and 5 nays to advance the amended bill to Government Operations.