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HB 989

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires the administrative office of the courts to report by October 1, 2025, to the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives the number of persons found guilty of the Class A misdemeanor of, as an employer, dismissing from employment an employee because of jury service by that employee, from January 1, 1990, until January 1, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 39.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Eldridge

Tennessee court system must report convictions for employer retaliation against jurors from 1990-2025 to assess legal enforcement effectiveness.

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Bill Summary · HB 989

Legislative bill overview

HB 989 requires Tennessee's Administrative Office of the Courts to compile and report data on the number of people convicted of illegally firing employees for jury service between January 1, 1990, and January 1, 2025. The report must be submitted to legislative leadership by October 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39 regarding criminal offenses.

Why is this important

Jury service is a protected activity under law—employers cannot retaliate against employees for serving on juries. This reporting requirement would provide the first comprehensive data on how often employers violate this protection and face criminal consequences, potentially revealing enforcement gaps. Such data could inform future legislative decisions about workplace protections and whether current penalties are adequate deterrents.

Potential points of contention

  • Data availability concerns: Courts may lack complete historical records from 1990-2025, making accurate compilation difficult and potentially delaying or limiting the report's usefulness
  • Scope and enforcement questions: The bill only captures convictions, not allegations or violations—it doesn't reveal how many violations go unprosecuted or whether current penalties are sufficient
  • Resource allocation: The reporting requirement imposes administrative costs on the court system without specifying funding, potentially diverting resources from other court functions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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