HB1938 • 2026

Prisons and Reformatory Institutions

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 41, Chapter 24, relative to private prison contractors.

Crime

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Johnson, Lamar
Last action: 2026-03-17
Official status: Failed in s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on what happens to existing contracts with private prison companies once the new ban takes effect.

Ban on Private Prison Contracts

This bill stops Tennessee from making new contracts with private companies to run prisons and jails after it becomes law.

What This Bill Does

Stops the state of Tennessee or local governments from creating new deals with private prison companies after the bill becomes law.

Who It Names or Affects

The state of Tennessee
Local governments in Tennessee (counties, cities, towns, metropolitan areas)
Private prison companies

Terms To Know

local government: A county, city, town, or metropolitan area that has its own laws and rules.
private prison company: A business that runs prisons for the government but is not part of the government itself.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what will happen to existing contracts with private prison companies.
It's unclear how much money this change might save or cost the state and local governments.

Bill History

2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Failed in s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Departments & Agencies Subcommittee for 3/17/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SENATE BILL 1994
By Lamar

HOUSE BILL 1938
By Johnson
HB1938
011579
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 41,
Chapter 24, relative to private prison contractors.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 41, Chapter 24, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a) As used in this section, "local government" means a county, an incorporated
city or town, or a metropolitan government.
(b) After the effective date of this act, this state, including a department or
agency of this state, or a local government shall not enter into a new contract or renew
an existing contract for the provision of correctional services or facilities for an inmate in
the custody and care of the department of correction or the local government.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.