Senate Bill 391 amends Tennessee law to establish guidelines for the use of certified facility dogs in court proceedings. The bill defines key terms such as "assistance dog organization," "certified facility dog," and "certified handler," outlining the qualifications required for each. A certified facility dog must be a graduate of an assistance dog organization, have undergone at least two years of training, possess a current health certificate, and have liability insurance. The bill allows courts to permit certified facility dogs to accompany victims or witnesses during testimony to alleviate stress and improve the accuracy of their statements.

The legislation also stipulates that if a certified facility dog is allowed in court, it must be accompanied by a certified handler, who is responsible for maintaining the dog's presence in the courtroom without interfering with the proceedings. The court is required to inform the jury about the dog's presence and ensure that it does not prejudice any party involved. Additionally, the bill mandates that the certified facility dog wear visible identification while working and that a motion must be filed for the court's approval before the dog can be used in a proceeding. The act will take effect upon becoming law.