Jails, Local Lock-ups

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date of July 1, 2026, is not mentioned in the candidate explanation but should be noted for full accuracy.

Tennessee Corrections Institute Powers and Duties Act

This law gives the Tennessee corrections institute new powers to set standards for correctional officers and training academies, changes rules about decertifying local facilities, and allows certain employees of the institute to carry handguns.

What This Bill Does

• Gives the Tennessee Corrections Institute the power to create certification requirements for correctional officers and inspect and certify local training academies.
• Changes how long a local facility can stay certified if it has problems that need fixing. It now allows up to five years with board approval, but not more than 12 months if quick fixes are possible.
• Adds new powers to the board of control to set standards for officer training and academy certification.
• Allows directors and full-time employees of the Tennessee Corrections Institute to carry handguns while on duty.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Tennessee Corrections Institute
• Local correctional facilities in Tennessee
• Correctional officers and their training academies

Terms To Know

Certification requirements

Rules set by the Tennessee Corrections Institute for becoming a certified corrections officer.

Plan of action

A plan submitted by local governments to fix issues in correctional facilities and keep them certified.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact impact on local correctional facilities is not clear without knowing the specific problems they face.
• It's unclear how many correctional officers will be affected by new certification requirements.
• Details about handgun carrying rules for institute employees are limited to those working full-time or in a director role.

Official Summary Text

Present law grants certain powers and duties to the Tennessee corrections institute. This bill adds that the Tennessee corrections institute also has the power and duty to (i) e
stablish certification requirements for corrections officers and
(ii) i
nspect and certify local correctional training academies associated with local jails, lock-ups, and workhouses.

ACTION PLANS TO FIX DEFICIENCIES

Present law prohibits a
local
,
currently certified facility
from being
decertified if the local government has submitted a plan within
60
days of the initial annual inspection that is reasonably expected to eliminate fixed ratio deficiencies in that facility and cause that facility to remain certified.
This bill removes this provision and, instead,
provides that a
local
,
currently certified facility must not be decertified if the local government has submitted a plan of action within 90

days of the initia
l annual inspection that is reasonably expected to eliminate
certain issues. Such issues are
fixed ratio deficiencies, staffing emergencies, capital projects, or deficiencies that do not impact the life or safety of the inmates or employees in that facility and cause that facility to remain certified. A plan of action must not
do any of the following
:



Exceed five consecutive years without unanimous approval from the board of control

of the Tennessee corrections institute
("board")
.



Exceed 12 months if the board determines that reasonable efforts by the local government could have resolved the deficiency
.



Be approved for deficiencies that directly impact the safety and security of the facility or public welfare.

This bill authorizes t
he board
to
direct the executive director to consult with necessary state agencies to ensure the safety and security of the facility prior to approving an extension exceeding five years.

BOARD
POWERS

Present law authorizes certain powers to the board. This bill adds the following powers:



The board is authorized to establish uniform standards for the training of corrections recruits and corrections officers, including requirements for corrections officer certification, continued certification, and revocation of certification.



The board is authorized to establish uniform standards for the certification of local correctional training academies for the purpose of training corrections recruits and corrections officers.



The board may issue, or revoke as required, special certifications to persons who, by reason of experience and completion of in-service training, advanced education, or specialized training, are especially qualified for particular aspects or classes relevant to the corrections profession.

EMPLOYEE HANDGUN CARRY

Present law authorizes certain
persons
to
carry handguns at all times pursuant to a written directive by the executive supervisor of the organization to which the person is or was attached or employed, regardless of the person's regular duty hours or assignments
. This bill adds to the list of authorized persons a
ny director or full-time employee of the Tennessee corrections institute in the performance of the director or employee's duty
.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 1589
By Haile

HOUSE BILL 1502
By Lamberth
HB1502
009677
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 38; Title 39 and Title 41, relative to the
Tennessee corrections institute.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 41-4-140(a), is amended by adding
the following new subdivisions:
(6) Establish certification requirements for corrections officers; and
(7) Inspect and certify local correctional training academies associated with local
jails, lock-ups, and workhouses.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 41-4-140, is amended by deleting
subsection (d) and substituting:
(d)
(1) A local currently certified facility must not be decertified if the local
government has submitted a plan of action within ninety (90) days of the initial
annual inspection that is reasonably expected to eliminate fixed ratio
deficiencies, staffing emergencies, capital projects, or deficiencies that do not
impact the life or safety of the inmates or employees in that facility and cause
that facility to remain certified. A plan of action must not:
(A) Exceed five (5) consecutive years without unanimous
approval from the board of control;
(B) Exceed twelve (12) months if the board of control determines
that reasonable efforts by the local government could have resolved the
deficiency; and

- 2 - 009677

(C) Be approved for deficiencies that directly impact the safety
and security of the facility or public welfare.
(2) The board of control may direct the executive director to consult with
necessary state agencies to ensure the safety and security of the facility prior to
approving an extension exceeding five (5) years.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 41-7-106, is amended by adding the
following new subsections:
(j) The board is authorized to establish uniform standards for the training of
corrections recruits and corrections officers, including requirements for corrections
officer certification, continued certification, and revocation of certification.
(k) The board is authorized to establish uniform standards for the certification of
local correctional training academies for the purpose of training corrections recruits and
corrections officers.
(l) The board may issue, or revoke as required, special certifications to persons
who, by reason of experience and completion of in-service training, advanced education,
or specialized training, are especially qualified for particular aspects or classes relevant
to the corrections profession.
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1315(a)(1)(A), is amended by
adding the following as a new subdivision (a)(1)(A)(iv) and redesignating the existing
subdivision (a)(1)(A)(iv) as subdivision (a)(1)(A)(v):
(iv) Any director or full-time employee of the Tennessee corrections institute in
the performance of the director or employee's duty; or
SECTION 5. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.