House Bill 1940, also known as Senate Bill 2016, amends Tennessee law regarding unlawful detainer actions by establishing confidentiality for certain records. Specifically, it introduces a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29, Chapter 18, which stipulates that records of an unlawful detainer action filed on or after July 1, 2026, will be confidential and shielded from public disclosure if the case has been dismissed, no appeal is pending, and either three years have passed since the filing date or all parties have agreed in writing to keep the records confidential. Additionally, it clarifies that these records will not be accessible for public inspection under Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5.

The bill further amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 10-7-504, to reinforce that records of unlawful detainer actions meeting the specified criteria are confidential and not open for public inspection. However, it allows access to these records for the court, court staff, and the parties involved in the case. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the importance of protecting the privacy of individuals involved in unlawful detainer actions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10-7-504