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SB 425

Public Buildings - As enacted, expands public records exception to include residential information of local government employees. - Amends TCA Section 10-7-504.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tennessee law now exempts local government employees' home addresses and contact information from public records disclosure requirements.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 280
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Bill Summary · SB 425

Legislative bill overview

SB 425 amends Tennessee's public records law (TCA Section 10-7-504) to create a new exemption that protects the residential address and contact information of local government employees from public disclosure. This expands existing privacy protections for public officials by shielding personal home information from records requests.

Why is this important

Government transparency and public records access are foundational to accountability, but employee safety and privacy are legitimate concerns. This bill reflects a tension between citizens' right to access information about government operations and protecting workers from potential harassment, threats, or unwanted contact at their homes. The law now treats local government employee residential data similarly to how some states protect judges or law enforcement.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "local government employees": The definition may be broad enough to cover administrative staff, creating questions about whether all employees warrant privacy protection or if it should be limited to elected officials and high-profile positions
  • Balancing transparency with privacy: Critics may argue this reduces accountability by making it harder for constituents to contact representatives, while supporters contend it prevents doxxing and harassment campaigns
  • Consistency with other exemptions: The bill's interaction with existing exceptions to public records laws and whether it creates problematic gaps in government transparency records isn't fully clear from the bill summary

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

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