Senate Bill 204, known as the "Tennessee Homebuyer Harassment Prevention Act," aims to enhance consumer protection for property owners in Tennessee by regulating unsolicited contact from individuals or entities seeking to purchase real property. The bill establishes that a person may not contact a property owner more than once in a calendar year regarding an unsolicited offer to buy their property. It also mandates that any person making such contact must provide their legal name, operating address, and contact information. The bill outlines a process for property owners to file complaints with the Division of Consumer Affairs if they believe their rights have been violated, and it grants the Attorney General the authority to investigate these complaints and enforce penalties for violations.

Additionally, the bill introduces penalties for knowingly transmitting misleading caller identification information in connection with unsolicited property purchase offers. It specifies that violations can result in civil penalties of up to $2,000 per incident and allows for reimbursement of investigation costs. Certain exemptions are included, such as licensed real estate agents and government agencies. The bill also amends existing laws related to consumer protection and caller identification services to align with these new provisions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to prohibited conduct occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 47-18-2302(a), 47-18-2302, 65-4-405