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Bill

HB 1922

Sexual Offenders - As introduced, requires sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders to notify the owner or operator of any campground on which the offender intends to stay overnight of the offender's status as a sexual offender or violent sexual offender prior to beginning the stay; creates the offense of knowingly staying overnight at a campground without providing the required notice, which is punished as a Class E felony. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Michele Carringer

Requires registered sex offenders to notify campground owners before overnight stays or face Class E felony charges, extending notification requirements to private recreational facilities.

H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/20/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 1922

Legislative bill overview

HB 1922 requires registered sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders to notify campground owners or operators of their status before staying overnight. The bill creates a new Class E felony offense for knowingly staying at a campground without providing this advance notice.

Why is this important

Sexual offender notification laws aim to enhance public safety by allowing property owners to make informed decisions about who uses their facilities. This bill extends existing sex offender registry requirements into the private recreational sector, which has traditionally had limited notification obligations compared to schools, daycare facilities, and residential neighborhoods.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement and privacy concerns: Campground operators would need systems to verify offender status against registry databases, raising questions about data sharing, privacy, and operational burden on small businesses
  • Scope and practicality: Campgrounds vary widely in size and infrastructure; compliance mechanisms for informal or seasonal operations remain unclear, and some may lack the resources to implement verification procedures
  • Proportionality debate: A Class E felony (typically 1-6 years imprisonment) may be considered disproportionate for a notification failure versus the underlying offense, and critics may argue this creates collateral consequences that hinder reintegration

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

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