House Bill 1710, also known as Senate Bill 1915, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to public benefits. 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 the citizenship or lawful presence of applicants aged eighteen or older seeking public benefits. The 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 requires these entities to maintain documentation of verification and outlines the process for terminating benefits if an applicant is found not to be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien.

The bill also establishes new reporting requirements for state and local entities, mandating monthly reports to the General Assembly and other departments regarding applicants who are not U.S. citizens or qualified aliens. It includes provisions for the Attorney General to investigate violations and enforce compliance, including withholding state funds from non-compliant local entities. Furthermore, failure to report individuals not meeting citizenship requirements 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