House Bill 1710 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to public benefits, specifically focusing on the verification of applicants' citizenship status. The bill introduces a new definition for "local governmental entity," which includes counties and incorporated cities or towns. It mandates that all state and local governmental entities, as well as local health departments, must verify that applicants for public benefits are either U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the U.S. This verification process must be implemented by local governmental entities upon their first reprinting of relevant forms or updating their electronic systems after July 1, 2026.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing language to ensure that the verification requirements apply uniformly across state and local entities. It establishes that documentation submitted for verification is presumed valid until a final verification is received, and it outlines procedures for terminating benefits if an applicant is found not to be eligible. The bill also includes provisions for the Attorney General to investigate violations and requires monthly reporting on applicants' citizenship status to various state entities. Failure to report non-citizen recipients of public benefits is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-58-102, 4-58-103(a)(1), 4-58-103, 4-58-103(b)(1), 4-58-103(b), 4-58-103(c), 4-58-103(d), 4-58-104, 4-58-105, 4-58-106(a), 4-58-106, 4-58-106(b), 4-58-107, 4-58-109