House Bill 472 amends Tennessee law to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the membership and operations of state entity boards. The bill establishes that no person can be excluded from board membership or subjected to discrimination on these bases. It also prohibits boards from implementing race-based policies, such as affirmative action or racial quotas, and from using aggregated data related to race or ethnicity to determine board participation.

Additionally, the bill creates a private cause of action for individuals who believe they have been discriminated against under these provisions, allowing them to seek actual, compensatory, and punitive damages. It mandates a minimum statutory damage award of $4,000 for violations and allows plaintiffs to pursue injunctive and declaratory relief while waiving the state's sovereign immunity. The bill aims to ensure equitable treatment and representation on state boards, reinforcing the principle of non-discrimination in public service.