Senate Bill 2016, also known as House Bill 1940, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to establish confidentiality for records related to unlawful detainer actions. Specifically, it introduces a new section in Title 29, Chapter 18, which stipulates that records of such actions filed on or after July 1, 2026, will be confidential and shielded from public disclosure if certain conditions are met. These conditions include the dismissal of the case, the absence of a pending appeal, and either the passage of at least three years since the filing date or a written agreement from all parties to shield the records.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 10-7-504 to reinforce that records of unlawful detainer actions meeting the specified criteria are not open for public inspection, despite previous provisions in Section 10-7-503. The bill ensures that while these records are confidential, the court and involved parties retain access to them. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the importance of public welfare in its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10-7-504