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HB 1671

Local Government, General - As introduced, prohibits local governmental entities from relocating homeless individuals unless the relocation is coordinated with the receiving jurisdiction; authorizes the attorney general to seek civil penalties for violations; authorizes the receiving jurisdiction to seek damages and injunctive relief for violations. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 71, Chapter 5.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Tim Rudd

Tennessee bill bans local governments from relocating homeless people to other jurisdictions without coordination, enabling AG civil penalties and receiving jurisdictions to sue for damages and injunctions.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 832
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Bill Summary · HB 1671

Legislative bill overview

HB 1671 prohibits Tennessee local governments from relocating homeless individuals to other jurisdictions without prior coordination and agreement from the receiving jurisdiction. The bill empowers the state Attorney General to pursue civil penalties against violating municipalities and allows receiving jurisdictions to seek damages and injunctive relief.

Why is this important

This addresses "homeless dumping"—the practice where some municipalities bus or transport homeless populations to other cities to reduce local costs and visible homelessness. The bill creates legal accountability for such practices and protects receiving communities from absorbing another jurisdiction's social service burden without consent. It affects how local governments manage homelessness and allocates responsibility for vulnerable populations across regions.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation challenges: Defining what constitutes "relocation" versus voluntary assistance programs, and determining which jurisdiction bears responsibility when homeless individuals migrate independently
  • Funding and services burden: The receiving jurisdiction concern assumes receiving communities have adequate shelter and social services; mandatory coordination could delay needed assistance to homeless individuals or create bureaucratic obstacles
  • Enforcement logistics: The Attorney General oversight mechanism may be resource-intensive, and civil penalties may prove difficult to enforce against cash-strapped municipalities already struggling with homelessness

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

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