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SB 1035

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 Janice Bowling

Tennessee courts must report convictions for wrongfully firing employees for jury service, covering 1990-2025 cases, by October 1, 2025.

Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 1035

Legislative bill overview

SB 1035 requires Tennessee's administrative office of the courts to compile and report data on convictions for employer retaliation against employees for jury service. The report must cover all Class A misdemeanor convictions from January 1, 1990, through January 1, 2025, and be submitted by October 1, 2025, to legislative leadership.

Why is this important

Jury service is a fundamental civic duty, and federal and state laws prohibit employers from punishing employees who serve on juries. This reporting requirement creates transparency about enforcement of those protections and provides legislators with data to assess whether current penalties deter violations effectively.

Potential points of contention

  • Data availability and accuracy: Court systems may lack comprehensive records spanning 35 years, making complete data collection difficult or impossible
  • Retroactive scope: Requiring historical data from 1990 onward places significant research burden on courts for events that occurred decades ago
  • Limited utility without context: Raw conviction numbers lack context about unreported violations, enforcement gaps, or whether penalties adequately protect workers

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

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