House Bill 2109, also known as Senate Bill 2222, amends Tennessee law regarding the liability of individuals who provide compensation to demonstrators participating in public gatherings. The bill introduces a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29, Chapter 34, Part 2, defining key terms such as "compensation," "demonstration," and "demonstrator." It establishes that a person who compensates a demonstrator may be held vicariously liable for damages caused by the demonstrator if their conduct during the demonstration meets the criteria for specific offenses, including riot, aggravated riot, disorderly conduct, and others listed in the bill.

To establish liability under this new provision, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant provided compensation to the demonstrator and that the demonstrator's actions meet the elements of one of the specified offenses. Notably, the plaintiff is not required to present evidence of a criminal conviction against the demonstrator to prove liability. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law and will apply only to actions occurring after that date.