(a) This section and § 8-50-104 are known and may be cited as the “Tennessee Disability Act.”
(b) There must not be discrimination in the hiring, firing, and other terms and conditions of employment of the state or a department, agency, institution, or political subdivision of the state, or of a private employer, against an applicant for employment based solely upon a physical, mental, or visual disability of the applicant, unless such disability to some degree prevents the applicant from performing the duties required by the employment sought or impairs the performance of the work involved. Furthermore, a blind person must not be discriminated against in such employment practices because the person uses a guide dog. A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class C misdemeanor.
(c) A person claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice prohibited by this section may file with the office of the attorney general and reporter a complaint pursuant to the process set forth pursuant to § 4-21-204(e). The attorney general is authorized to exercise all powers and duties provided in title 4, chapter 21 in connection with a violation of this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, “employer” means a person employing eight (8) or more persons within the state.
(e) A violation of this section is a violation of title 4, chapter 21.