flag of tennessee2024 Tennessee Code Unannotated

Title 14 COVID-19

Chapter 1 General Provisions
§ 14-1-101. Definitions.
  1. As used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires:
    1. (1) “Acquired immunity” means an acquired specific immune system response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is:
      1. (A) Acquired naturally as a result of an individual's prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus; and
      2. (B) Verified by:
        1. (i) A letter from a licensed physician; or
        2. (ii) Documentation of a laboratory test showing antibody, memory cell, or T cell immunity;
    2. (2) “Adverse action” means to:
      1. (A) Discriminate against a person by denying the person employment, privileges, credit, insurance, access, products, services, or other benefits; or
      2. (B) Discharge, threaten, or otherwise discriminate against an employee in any manner that affects the employee's employment, including compensation, terms, conditions, locations, rights, immunities, promotions, or privileges;
    3. (3) “Applicant” means a person who has applied for employment with an employer;
    4. (4) “Arising from COVID-19” means caused by or resulting from the actual, alleged, or possible exposure to or contraction of COVID-19, or caused by or resulting from services, treatment, or other actions in response to COVID-19, including, but not limited to:
      1. (A) Implementing policies and procedures to prevent or minimize the spread of COVID-19; however, “arising from COVID-19” does not include implementing policies and procedures that violate this title;
      2. (B) Testing;
      3. (C) Monitoring, collecting, reporting, tracking, tracing, disclosing, or investigating COVID-19 exposure or other COVID-19-related information;
      4. (D) Using, designing, manufacturing, providing, donating, or servicing precautionary, diagnostic, collection, or other health equipment or supplies, such as personal protective equipment;
      5. (E) Closing or partially closing to prevent or minimize the spread of COVID-19;
      6. (F) Delaying or modifying the schedule or performance of any medical procedure; or
      7. (G) Providing services or products in response to government appeal or repurposing operations to address an urgent need for personal protective equipment, sanitation products, or other products necessary to protect the public;
    5. (5) “COVID-19” means the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and coronavirus disease 2019, commonly referred to as COVID-19, including any variant of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19;
    6. (6) “COVID-19 vaccine” means a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide protection against COVID-19, prepared from the causative agent of COVID-19, its products, or a synthetic substitute, and treated to act as an antigen without inducing a COVID-19 infection;
    7. (7) “Employer” means a person, private business, or governmental entity employing one (1) or more persons within this state;
    8. (8) “Face covering” means a protective covering designed to be worn over the nose and mouth to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but “face covering” does not include an industry required mask;
    9. (9) “Governmental entity”:
      1. (A) Means a state department, agency, or political subdivision, including a city, town, municipality, metropolitan government, county, utility district, public building authority, housing authority, emergency communications district, county board of health, a development district created and existing pursuant to the laws of this state, or an instrumentality of government created by one (1) or more local governmental entities;
      2. (B) Does not include a school or LEA, as defined in § 49-1-103;
      3. (C) Does not include an airport authority;
      4. (D) Does not include a Medicare or Medicaid certified provider, but only to the extent such provider is subject to a valid and enforceable Medicare or Medicaid condition of participation that imposes a requirement contrary to this title, except a person in a position covered by the definition of emergency medical services personnel in § 68-140-302;
      5. (E) Does not include an entity operating on property owned, managed, or secured by the federal government, but only to the extent such entity is subject to a valid and enforceable federal requirement contrary to this title;
      6. (F) Does not include a healthcare provider enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid that is subject to fines or penalties for nonadherence to federal rules and regulations, but only to the extent such provider is subject to a valid and enforceable Medicare or Medicaid requirement contrary to this title; and
      7. (G) Does not include an assisted-care living facility, a home for the aged, a nursing home, or a residential hospice, as those terms are defined in § 68-11-201;
    10. (10) “Healthcare provider” means a healthcare practitioner, person, or facility licensed, authorized, certified, registered, or regulated under title 33, title 63, title 68, federal law or order, or an executive order of the governor, including but not limited to any employees, agents, or contractors of such a practitioner, person, or facility, and residents, interns, students, fellows, or volunteers of an accredited school or of such school's affiliated teaching or training hospitals or programs in this state;
    11. (11) “Industry required mask” means a face covering, protective cover, or prophylactic device designed to be worn over the nose and mouth for a particular industry that may prevent the spread of COVID-19, but that would be used in the particular industry regardless of the risk of exposure to COVID-19;
    12. (12) “Legal guardian” means a person or entity that has the legal authority to provide for the care, supervision, or control of a minor as established by law or court order;
    13. (13) “Minor”:
      1. (A) Means a person who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age;
      2. (B) Does not include a person who has been emancipated pursuant to title 29, chapter 31; and
      3. (C) Does not include a person who is seventeen (17) years of age and is enlisted in the military;
    14. (14) “Monoclonal antibodies” means bamlanivimab plus etesevimab, casirivimab plus imdevimab, sotrovimab, or any other anti-COVID-19 monoclonal antibody products that target the spike protein of COVID-19 and are approved or authorized by the federal food and drug administration for use as a treatment or prophylaxis for a COVID-19 infection;
    15. (15) “Person” means an individual;
    16. (16) “Private business” means a person, sole proprietorship, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, association, nonprofit organization described in § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code that is exempt from federal income taxation under § 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(a)), or any other legal or non-governmental entity whether formed as a for-profit or not-for-profit entity engaged in business or commerce in this state, but does not include:
      1. (A) A school;
      2. (B) A Medicare or Medicaid certified provider, but only to the extent such provider is subject to a valid and enforceable Medicare or Medicaid condition of participation that imposes a requirement contrary to this title, except a person in a position covered by the definition of emergency medical services personnel in § 68-140-302;
      3. (C) A healthcare provider enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid that is subject to fines or penalties for nonadherence to federal rules and regulations, but only to the extent such provider is subject to a valid and enforceable Medicare or Medicaid requirement contrary to this title; or
      4. (D) An assisted-care living facility, a home for the aged, a nursing home, or a residential hospice, as those terms are defined in § 68-11-201, or an entity other than a school, as that term is defined in subdivision (19), that operates a residential congregate living facility, including, but not limited to, a home that provides care for adults with disabilities or traumatic brain injury, a home that provides residential mental health treatment for children or adults, or an alcohol and drug treatment facility;
    17. (17) “Proof of vaccination” means physical documentation or digital storage of a person's receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine;
    18. (18) “Quarantine” means:
      1. (A) The limitation or restriction of a person's freedom of movement or isolation of a person, or preventing or restricting access to premises upon which the person or the cause or source of COVID-19 may be found, for a period of time to prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
      2. (B) Limiting or restricting the operation of a private business to prevent the spread of COVID-19;
    19. (19) “School” means:
      1. (A) A public elementary or secondary school operated by a local education agency or by the state with public funds, including a charter school;
      2. (B) A publicly-operated child care agency, as defined in § 71-3-501; child care program, as defined in § 49-1-1102; preschool; or nursery school; and
      3. (C) A public postsecondary educational institution;
    20. (20) “School property” means all real property, improvements to real property, and facilities used for school purposes; and
    21. (21) “Severe conditions” means:
      1. (A) The governor has declared a state of emergency for COVID-19 pursuant to § 58-2-107; and
      2. (B) A county has an average rolling fourteen-day COVID-19 infection rate of at least one thousand (1,000) new known infections for every one hundred thousand (100,000) residents of the county based on the most recent data published by the department of health. For purposes of this subdivision (21)(B), the number of new cases per one hundred thousand (100,000) persons within the last fourteen (14) days is calculated by adding the number of new cases in the county in the last fourteen (14) days divided by the population in the county by one hundred thousand (100,000).
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§ 14-1-102. Findings.
  1. The general assembly finds that:
    1. (1) Setting forth the rights of people in the context of COVID-19 restrictions in a statute assists the citizens of this state in the enforcement and protection of their rights and creates a safe harbor for those desiring to avoid litigation;
    2. (2) Tennessee, as a great southern state within our federal system of government, is free to enact laws to protect the health and safety of its citizens under the police powers inherent to all states of a federal system of government;
    3. (3) The United States Constitution does not prohibit the states from regulating health and medical practices, nor does it require any person to consent to any form of medical treatment, directly or indirectly, in relation to COVID-19;
    4. (4) The right at common law to personal security and the liberty to be free from an unwanted touching of one's limbs and body was retained by the people of this state, and that right includes rights and duties with respect to medical treatment administered by other persons, such as through COVID-19 vaccinations;
    5. (5) Informed consent between patients and healthcare practitioners protects the rights at common law of persons and all such consent must be voluntary and not given under duress, coercion, misrepresentation, or fraud; and
    6. (6) Consistent with our constitutionally recognized and inalienable right of liberty, every person within this state is and must remain free to choose or to decline to be vaccinated against COVID-19 without penalty or threat of penalty.
§ 14-1-103. Broad construction to safeguard liberty.
  1. The purpose of this title is to safeguard the constitutional rights and liberty interests of persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. This title must be construed broadly to effectuate the purpose described in this section.
§ 14-1-104. Construction with other laws.
  1. (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a governmental entity or public official shall not suspend any provision of this title, regardless of whether there is a state of emergency. This subsection (a) does not prohibit the governor from suspending a provision of this title pursuant to title 58, chapter 2, if the governor has declared a state of emergency.
  2. (b) This title is in addition and supplemental to all other provisions of state law; wherever the application of this title conflicts with the application of other provisions of state law, this title prevails.
Chapter 2 Uniform Standards
§ 14-2-101. COVID-19 vaccine mandates by governmental entities.
  1. A governmental entity, school, or local education agency shall not mandate that a:
    1. (1) Person receive a COVID-19 vaccine; or
    2. (2) Private business or school require proof of vaccination as a condition to access the private business's or school's premises or facilities or to receive the benefits of the private business's or school's products or services.
§ 14-2-102. COVID-19 vaccine status.
  1. (a) A private business, governmental entity, school, or local education agency shall not compel or otherwise take an adverse action against a person to compel the person to provide proof of vaccination if the person objects to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine for any reason.
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  2. (b) Allowing a person to voluntarily provide proof of vaccination or proof of COVID-19 antibodies instead of a negative COVID-19 test in order to gain admission to a place of entertainment, as defined in § 47-25-512, is not a violation of subsection (a).
  3. (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a person is not prohibited from requiring another person to provide proof of vaccination as a condition to entering that person's personal residence for purposes of providing products or services.
§ 14-2-103. Face coverings generally.
  1. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary and except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (e):
    1. (1) A governmental entity shall not require a person to wear a face covering as a condition to access the governmental entity's premises or facilities, or to receive the benefits of the governmental entity's products or services, unless severe conditions exist and the requirement is in effect for no more than fourteen (14) days; and
    2. (2) An employer that is a governmental entity shall not require an employee to wear a face covering as a term or condition of employment, or take an adverse action against an employee for failing to wear a face covering, unless severe conditions exist at the time the requirement is adopted and the requirement is in effect for not more than fourteen (14) days.
  2. (b) A governmental entity may renew its face covering requirement for additional fourteen-day periods if severe conditions continue to exist each time the face covering requirement is renewed. If, at the end of a fourteen-day period, severe conditions no longer exist, then the governmental entity shall not renew its face covering requirement or otherwise require a person to wear a face covering as a condition to access its premises or facilities; to receive the benefits of its products or services; or as a term or condition of employment.
  3. (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a governmental entity shall not require a person to wear a face covering if the person provides documentation from the person's healthcare provider that wearing a face covering is contraindicated for the person, or if the person objects to wearing a face covering because of the person's sincerely held religious belief.
  4. (d) This section does not authorize a person to access the premises or facilities of a governmental entity, or to receive the benefits of a governmental entity's products or services, if the person is otherwise prohibited from accessing its premises or facilities, or from receiving the benefits of its products or services.
  5. (e) This section does not apply to state or local correctional facilities housing inmates in a congregate living arrangement.
§ 14-2-104. Face coverings for schools.
  1. (a) Notwithstanding title 49 or any other law to the contrary and except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), a school or a governing body of a school shall not require a person to wear a face covering while on school property unless:
    1. (1) The principal or president of the school submits a written request to the school's governing body for the adoption of a policy requiring all persons on school property to wear a face covering;
    2. (2) Severe conditions exist;
    3. (3) The school's governing body adopts such a policy on a school-by-school or campus-by-campus basis and only:
      1. (A) For the school for which a request is submitted by the principal or president pursuant to subdivision (a)(1);
      2. (B) If all other conditions or requirements of this subsection (a) exist at the time the policy is adopted; and
      3. (C) If the policy is in effect for no more than fourteen (14) days;
    4. (4) The school provides face coverings for persons twelve (12) years of age and older that meet the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health N95 classification of air filtration, meaning that the face covering filters at least ninety-five percent (95%) of airborne particles, including droplets containing COVID-19; and
    5. (5) The school provides age-appropriate face coverings for persons under twelve (12) years of age, but over five (5) years of age, that provide air filtration similar to the face coverings described in subdivision (a)(4).
  2. (b) A principal or president of a school may submit a written request to the school's governing body to renew the face covering requirement for the school for an additional fourteen-day period if the requirements of subsection (a) exist at the time the face covering requirement is renewed. If, at the end of a fourteen-day period, one (1) or more of the requirements or conditions of subsection (a) no longer exist, then a school shall not renew the school's face covering requirement or otherwise require a person to wear a face covering on school property.
  3. (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a school shall not require a person to wear a face covering if the person provides documentation from the person's healthcare provider that wearing a face covering is contraindicated for the person, or if the person objects to wearing a face covering because of the person's sincerely held religious belief.
  4. (d) Notwithstanding subsection (a):
    1. (1) A school shall, to the extent practicable, provide a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) to a person who provides a written request for a reasonable accommodation to the principal or president of the school. If the person requesting a reasonable accommodation under this subsection (d) is a minor, then the person's parent or legal guardian must provide the written request on the minor's behalf.
    2. (2) The principal or president of the school shall evaluate the request on behalf of the school and, to the extent practicable, provide a reasonable accommodation. The principal or president shall issue a decision approving or denying the request in writing. If the principal or president denies the request, then the grounds for denial must be provided in the principal's or president's written decision. If the principal or president approves the request, then the school shall place the person in an in-person educational setting in which other persons who may place or otherwise locate themselves within six feet (6′) of the person receiving the reasonable accommodation for longer than fifteen (15) minutes are wearing a face covering provided by the school that:
      1. (A) For persons twelve (12) years of age or older, meets the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health N95 classification of air filtration, meaning that the face covering filters at least ninety-five percent (95%) of airborne particles, including droplets containing COVID-19; and
      2. (B) For persons under twelve (12) years of age, but over five (5) years of age, is age-appropriate and provides air filtration similar to the face coverings described in subdivision (d)(2)(A).
  5. (e) The governing body of a school shall not use state funds to mandate or require students to wear face coverings in violation of this section. If a school's governing body violates this subsection (e), then the commissioner of education may withhold future distributions of school funds from a local education agency in the amount of the state funds used in violation of this section, or the attorney general and reporter may initiate legal proceedings to recover all state funds used in violation of this subsection (e).
  6. (f) This section does not authorize a person to access a school's property or to receive the benefits of a school's services if the person is otherwise prohibited from accessing the school's property, or from receiving the benefits of the school's services.
§ 14-2-105. Prohibited adoption or enforcement of statute, ordinance, rule, policy, procedure or practice relating to acquired immunity.
  1. (a) A governmental entity, local education agency, or school shall not adopt or enforce a statute, ordinance, rule, policy, or practice arising from COVID-19 that:
    1. (1) Fails to recognize acquired immunity as providing a level of immune protection that is at least as protective as a COVID-19 vaccine; or
    2. (2) Treats individuals with acquired immunity differently than individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
  2. (b) A private business shall not adopt or enforce a rule, policy, procedure, or practice arising from COVID-19 that:
    1. (1) Fails to recognize acquired immunity as providing a level of immune protection that is at least as protective as a COVID-19 vaccine; or
    2. (2) Treats individuals with acquired immunity differently than individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Chapter 3 Unemployment Benefits Relative to COVID-19
§ 14-3-101. Unemployment benefits.
  1. (a) The disqualification from receipt of unemployment benefits provided in § 50-7-303(a)(1)(A) does not apply to a claimant who left employment because the claimant's employer, as defined in § 50-7-205, required its employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and the claimant failed or refused to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
  2. (b) Unemployment benefits shall not be reduced or denied under title 50, chapter 7 to an otherwise eligible claimant who left employment due to the claimant's failing or refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
  3. (c) This section entitles an otherwise eligible claimant to a retroactive payment of unemployment benefits if the claimant was denied benefits on grounds that the claimant's separation from employment for failing or refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine was insufficient for benefits.
Chapter 4 Healthcare Standards of Practice
§ 14-4-101. Sole authority to quarantine for COVID-19.
  1. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner of health has the sole authority to determine quarantine guidelines for:
    1. (1) A person if the person tests positive for COVID-19. The quarantine of a person must be lifted if the person receives a negative antigen detection test result or a negative molecular diagnostic test result at any time during the quarantine period; and
    2. (2) A private business or school for purposes of closing the private business or restricting the operation of the private business for purposes of COVID-19. The quarantine of a business must be lifted as soon as practicable after the commissioner is satisfied that the conditions at the business do not present a serious public health or safety threat with respect to the spread of COVID-19.
  2. (b) A local health entity or official, mayor, governmental entity, or school does not have the authority to quarantine a person or private business for purposes of COVID-19.
  3. (c) The commissioner may only establish quarantine guidelines by rules promulgated pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
§ 14-4-102. Monoclonal antibodies.
  1. Notwithstanding any guidance or advice received from a governmental entity to the contrary, a healthcare provider shall exercise independent professional judgment when determining whether to recommend, prescribe, offer, or administer monoclonal antibodies to a patient as a treatment or prophylaxis against COVID-19.
§ 14-4-103. Mature minor doctrine.
  1. A healthcare provider shall not provide a patient who is a minor with a COVID-19 vaccine without first obtaining written consent from the minor patient's parent or legal guardian.
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§ 14-4-104. Disciplinary process — Promulgation of rules — Exception.
  1. (a) Notwithstanding title 63 or 68 to the contrary, any disciplinary process, or action taken pursuant to such process, that is implemented by a health-related board regarding the dispensing or prescribing of medication for COVID-19 must be promulgated as a rule pursuant to title 4, chapter 5.
  2. (b)
    1. (1) Subsection (a) does not apply to the dispensing or prescribing of controlled substances. The exception created under this subdivision (b)(1) does not affect how the dispensing or prescribing of controlled substances is regulated under title 53 or 63.
    2. (2) As used in subdivision (b)(1), “controlled substances” means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor defined or listed in Schedules I through VI of the Tennessee Drug Control Act of 1989, compiled in title 39, chapter 17, part 4.
§ 14-4-105. Immunity of physician providing statement that person should be exempted from mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.
  1. A physician licensed under title 63, chapter 6 or 9, who provides a person with a signed statement that the person should be exempted from a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, specifies the recognized clinical reason for the exemption, and does so in the context of a physician-patient relationship as determined and governed by the rules of the relevant health-related board is:
    1. (1) Acting within the physician's authorized scope of practice;
    2. (2) Immune from civil liability for such action; and
    3. (3) Immune from disciplinary action by a health-related board for such action.
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Chapter 5 Liability
§ 14-5-101. Claims arising from COVID-19 — Standard of liability — Requirements — Limitations — Applicability.
  1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, there is no claim against a person for loss, damage, injury, or death arising from COVID-19, unless the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the person proximately caused the loss, damage, injury, or death by an act or omission constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct.
  2. (b)
    1. (1) In any claim alleging loss, damage, injury, or death arising from a COVID-19 infection, the claimant must file a verified complaint pleading specific facts with particularity from which a finder of fact could reasonably conclude that the alleged loss, damage, injury, or death was caused by the defendant's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
    2. (2) In any claim alleging loss, damage, injury, or death based on a COVID-19 infection, the claimant must also file a certificate of good faith stating that the claimant or claimant's counsel has consulted with a physician duly licensed to practice in this state or a contiguous state, and the physician has provided a signed written statement that the physician is competent to express an opinion on the contraction of COVID-19, and, upon information and belief, believes that the alleged loss, damage, injury, or death was caused by an alleged act or omission of the defendant or defendants.
    3. (3) The failure of a claimant to satisfy the requirements of subdivisions (b)(1) and (2), if required by subdivision (b)(2), makes the action subject to dismissal with prejudice upon motion of the defendant.
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  3. (c) This chapter does not:
    1. (1) Create a cause of action;
    2. (2) Eliminate a required element of any existing cause of action;
    3. (3) Affect workers' compensation claims under the Workers' Compensation Law, compiled in title 50, chapter 6, including the exclusive application of such law; or
    4. (4) Amend, repeal, alter, or affect any immunity, defense, limitation of liability, or procedure available or required under law or contract.
  4. (d) Unless otherwise prohibited by the United States or Tennessee Constitution, this chapter applies to claims arising from COVID-19 except those for which, on or before August 3, 2020:
    1. (1) A complaint or civil warrant was filed;
    2. (2) Notice of a claim was given pursuant to § 9-8-402; or
    3. (3) Notice was satisfied pursuant to § 29-26-121(a)(3) or § 14-5-101(b).
  5. (e) As used in this section, “person” means an individual, healthcare provider, sole proprietorship, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, religious organization, association, nonprofit organization described in 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code that is exempt from federal income taxation under 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), or any other legal entity whether formed as a for-profit or not-for-profit entity.
Chapter 6 Miscellaneous
§ 14-6-101. Anti-commandeering.
  1. (a) Except funding for emergency rules already in effect and until the emergency rule expires, public funds of this state, or any political subdivision of this state, shall not be allocated for the implementation, regulation, or enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule, or regulation that mandates the administration of a COVID-19 countermeasure.
  2. (b) Except for emergency rules already in effect and until the emergency rule expires, personnel or property of this state, or any governmental entity of this state, shall not be allocated for the implementation, regulation, or enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule, or regulation that mandates the administration of a COVID-19 countermeasure.
  3. (c) As used in this section, “countermeasure” has the same meaning as “covered countermeasure” as that term is defined in the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 247d-6d.
§ 14-6-102. Exemption from chapter 2 or 6 by comptroller for certain entities — Notice — Renewal.
  1. (a) A provision of chapter 2 or 6 of this title does not apply to a private business, governmental entity, school, or employer that submits notice in writing to the comptroller of the treasury that compliance with a provision chapter 2 or 6 of this title would result in a loss of federal funding, to the extent such an exemption is necessary to conform to federally awarded or amended contracts, subcontracts, or postsecondary grants as a condition to receipt of federal funds. The comptroller of the treasury shall create guidelines as to what information is required in the notice. The comptroller shall review a notice submitted by a private business, governmental entity, school, or employer and, if the comptroller finds that compliance would result in a loss of federal funding, then the comptroller shall notify the private business, governmental entity, school, or employer in writing of its exemption. Section 14-6-103 does not apply to a violation of chapter 2 of this title committed by a private business, governmental entity, school, or employer if compliance with the violated provision has been exempted by the comptroller.
  2. (b) After one (1) calendar year from the date on which the comptroller exempts the private business, governmental entity, school, or employer from a provision of chapter 2 or 6 of this title, the private business, governmental entity, school, or employer must submit notice in writing to the comptroller to have the exemption renewed for no more than one (1) additional one-year period. A private business, governmental entity, school, or employer shall notify the comptroller within fourteen (14) days if the conditions or justifications for the comptroller granting the exemption no longer exist.
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§ 14-6-103. Remedies.
  1. A person injured as a result of a violation of chapter 2 of this title or § 14-4-103 is entitled to maintain a private right of action for injunctive relief and to recover compensatory damages and reasonable attorneys' fees against an alleged violator.
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§ 14-6-105. Exemption from employer's requirement to provide proof of vaccination or receive COVID-19 vaccine — Violation.
  1. (a) As used in this section:
    1. (1) “Employer” means an entity that:
      1. (A) Employs one (1) or more persons within this state; and
      2. (B) Is not subject to the prohibition against compelling proof of vaccination in § 14-2-102(a); and
    2. (2) “Staff member”:
      1. (A) Means a person required by an employer to provide proof of vaccination or receive the COVID-19 vaccine; and
      2. (B) Includes:
        1. (i) A person who is employed by an employer, as of March 11, 2022, and is required by the employer to provide proof of vaccination or receive the COVID-19 vaccine; and
        2. (ii) A person required by the employer to provide proof of vaccination or receive the COVID-19 vaccine:
          1. (a) Who is:
            1. (1) Licensed, registered, certified, or permitted under title 63 or title 68 to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession; or
            2. (2) A student pursuing a course of study for the purpose of becoming licensed, registered, certified, or permitted under title 63 or title 68 to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession; and
          2. (b) Who, as of March 11, 2022, has been granted permission by a facility licensed under title 33 or title 68 to be present in the facility to care for or attend to patients or for clinical education.
  2. (b) An employer that requires a staff member to provide proof of vaccination or receive the COVID-19 vaccine shall grant the staff member an exemption to the requirement if:
    1. (1) The staff member's request for a medical exemption is supported by a statement signed and dated by a physician licensed under title 63, chapter 6 or 9 that the staff member has a condition recognized under generally accepted medical standards as a basis for the medical exemption and provided by the physician pursuant to § 14-4-105; or
    2. (2) The staff member attests in writing, including by electronic means, that the staff member has a sincerely held religious belief that prevents the staff member from complying with the requirement in accordance with guidance from the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services.
  3. (c) An employer described in subsection (b) shall not:
    1. (1) Take longer than ten (10) business days to grant or deny the staff member's request for an exemption;
    2. (2) Deny a request for an exemption without providing a written statement explaining why the request was denied;
    3. (3) Discharge, threaten to discharge, or reduce the compensation, benefits, or hours of a staff member because the staff member has requested and been granted an exemption; or
    4. (4) For an exemption based on a religious belief pursuant to subdivision (b)(2), require the staff member to provide further proof beyond the staff member's initial statement that the staff member has a sincerely held religious belief that prevents compliance and should be granted an exemption.
  4. (d)
    1. (1) This section does not:
      1. (A) Impose a duty or liability on an employer for acts or omissions prior to March 11, 2022;
      2. (B) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d)(2), require an employer to change a determination made prior to March 11, 2022; or
      3. (C) Require an employer to take or refrain from an action contrary to enforceable requirements imposed by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services.
    2. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (d)(1)(B), a staff member who was terminated for not complying with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate and that termination would have been covered by this section may reapply for employment and shall not be denied employment solely because the staff member sought an exemption prior to March 11, 2022.
  5. (e) A violation of this section is punishable by a civil penalty of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
  6. (f)
    1. (1) The attorney general and reporter shall establish a process by which violations of this section may be reported.
    2. (2) The attorney general and reporter may bring an action against an employer that violates this section to enjoin further violations and to recover a civil penalty of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation.
    3. (3) A civil penalty collected pursuant to this section must be paid into the general fund of this state.
    4. (4) The prevailing party in an action brought under subdivision (f)(2) is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and expenses, but court costs must not be taxed against the attorney general and reporter or this state in actions commenced under this section.
    5. (5) Jurisdiction for an action brought pursuant to this section is in the chancery or circuit court of Williamson County or the chancery court in the county where the employer is located.
  7. (g) Notwithstanding § 14-6-102, an employer is not exempt from this section.
  8. (h) Notwithstanding this section, a person is not prohibited from requiring another person to provide proof of vaccination as a condition to entering that person's personal residence for purposes of providing products or services.