Committee approves bill to standardize correctional training and allow institute personnel to carry handguns

The State and Local Government Committee unanimously recommended Senate Bill 15 89 to the Senate calendar after sponsorship remarks described the measure as a correctional "cleanup bill" that seeks three core changes.

Sponsor Senator Hale said the legislation "empowers the Tennessee Corrections Institute to establish uniform certification requirements for correction officers to inspect and certify local correctional training academies," and described two additional provisions: it updates action plan requirements by giving local governments 90 days to submit corrective plans while limiting extensions and prohibiting approval for safety-related deficiencies; and it permits full-time institute personnel who are certified firearm instructors to carry handguns while performing official duties.

Senator Hale characterized the firearm provision as limited to certified firearm instructors engaged in training and testified these personnel "have more training than many of our law enforcement officers do." There was no recorded substantive opposition during committee questioning. The clerk recorded a unanimous roll-call vote (9 ayes) and the bill will move to the Senate calendar.

Next steps: With committee approval, SB 15 89 will proceed to the Senate calendar for further consideration.