Senate Bill 1262 aims to prohibit the mailing of fake checks or images of fake checks for advertising purposes in Tennessee. The bill introduces a new section, 45-1-131, which explicitly states that it is illegal to send such materials, regardless of any disclaimers indicating that the checks are not real or are voided. The enforcement of this section will be the responsibility of the Department of Financial Institutions, which is required to create rules in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. Additionally, violations of this new provision will be considered a breach of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, subjecting offenders to its penalties and remedies.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 47-18-104(b) of the Tennessee Code Annotated by adding a new subdivision that specifically identifies the violation of section 45-1-131 as an unfair or deceptive act affecting trade or commerce. The act will take effect immediately for the purpose of rule promulgation, while the broader provisions will become effective on July 1, 2025, applying to conduct occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 47-18-104(b), 47-18-104