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TennesseeSB 0391114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 24; Title 36; Title 37 and Title 40, relative to certified facility dogs.

Sponsored By: Tom Hatcher (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Standards for certified court facility dogs

To work in court, a certified facility dog must be a graduate of an assistance dog organization. The dog needs at least two years of training and must pass the service dog public access test. It must have a current yearly health certificate from a Tennessee-licensed vet and at least $500,000 in liability insurance. A certified handler must be trained by an assistance dog organization and know courtroom rules to avoid disrupting justice.

Support dogs in court, with limits

Tennessee courts can allow a certified facility dog to sit with a victim or witness during testimony. The goal is to reduce stress and help the court get full, accurate testimony. Beforehand, the party must file a motion, and the court can check the dog’s and handler’s credentials. If a jury is seated, the handler brings the dog to and from the stand when the jury is out and stays in view during testimony. The judge tells jurors not to take the dog’s presence as favoring any side and hides the dog from view when possible. The dog must wear visible markings showing it is a certified facility dog.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tom Hatcher

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 41 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/17/2025

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 167

    4/30/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/11/2025

    4/30/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/11/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/3/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/2/2025House

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/1/2025Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/31/2025House

  9. Passed H., Ayes 93, Nays 0, PNV 2

    3/31/2025House

  10. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    3/20/2025House

  11. Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    3/17/2025Senate

  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/17/2025Senate

  13. Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/17/2025

    3/14/2025Senate

  14. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    3/11/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/11/2025

    3/5/2025Senate

  16. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  17. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  18. Filed for introduction

    1/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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