House Bill 216 amends Tennessee law to facilitate the immediate removal of unlawful occupants from commercial properties. The bill defines "immediate family member" and outlines specific conditions under which a property owner or their authorized agent can request the sheriff to remove unauthorized individuals. These conditions include the property being commercial, the unauthorized person not being a tenant or immediate family member, and the property not being open to the public at the time of entry. The property owner must submit a verified complaint to the sheriff, who will then verify the complaint and serve a notice to vacate to the unlawful occupants.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the sheriff is entitled to a fee for serving the notice and may charge for keeping the peace during the removal process. It also provides that neither the sheriff nor the property owner will be liable for any loss or damage to property resulting from actions taken under this section, unless the removal was wrongful. Furthermore, individuals wrongfully removed can bring a civil action for damages, and the bill clarifies that it does not limit the rights of property owners or law enforcement officers regarding other criminal activities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.