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SB 248

Traffic Safety - As enacted, creates the offense of an occupant of a vehicle parking, leaving standing, or stopping the vehicle on a street or highway and blocking or impeding the normal movement of traffic for the purpose of soliciting, negotiating, or consummating an employment transaction with a person standing on or in proximity to the street or highway. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 54 and Title 55.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bo Watson

Tennessee makes it illegal for vehicles to stop on streets while recruiting day laborers, aiming to reduce traffic disruption but potentially limiting informal job-seeking opportunities.

Pub. Ch. 158
#trafficsafety
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Bill Summary · SB 248

Legislative bill overview

SB 248 creates a new traffic offense in Tennessee prohibiting drivers from parking, standing, or stopping vehicles on streets or highways in ways that block traffic while soliciting or negotiating employment with people nearby. The law targets the practice of vehicles stopping to recruit day laborers from street locations, which can create traffic congestion and safety hazards.

Why is this important

This law directly impacts day laborers, labor contractors, and workers who seek or provide employment through street-based hiring. It also affects traffic flow and public safety on roadways, as stopped vehicles can create accident risks and congestion. The enforcement of this law will shape where and how informal labor markets operate in Tennessee communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Labor market access: Day laborers and immigrant workers may lose convenient hiring locations, potentially limiting job opportunities or forcing reliance on less transparent employment arrangements
  • Enforcement disparities: The law's subjective language about "blocking or impeding" traffic could lead to inconsistent or discriminatory enforcement against specific worker communities
  • Practical alternatives absent: The bill doesn't establish designated hiring centers or legal alternatives, potentially pushing the practice underground rather than solving underlying labor needs

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

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