Nonprofits in Tennessee, take note! July 1st marked the enactment of a wave of new laws that could significantly impact your operations. From changes in fundraising regulations to updated reporting requirements, it’s crucial to stay informed and ensure your organization remains compliant. In this blog post, we’ll break down the key legislation you need to know, offering insights and guidance to help you navigate these changes and continue your vital work in the community.
Special thanks to our friends at Capitol Resources, LLC for compiling these for Tennessee Nonprofit Network.
Do you want to read the full bills listed below or more information? Click here to explore the Tennessee General Assembly’s legislation page here.
Legislation Effective July 1st, 2024
SB 1661/HB 1707: Revises various provisions regarding the regulation of charitable solicitations regarding the age of organization to be regulated, public contributions, and tax exemption status. Allows a civil penalty to be assessed if violations occur.
SB 1662/HB 1708: Changes certain fees payable to the secretary of state by certain charitable organizations from $50 to $10. Increases from $500,000 to $1,000,000 the amount of gross revenue received during a fiscal year to trigger certain reporting requirements. Assesses a late fee of $25 per month on certain financial reports that are not timely filed.
SB 2561/HB 2618: If a written request for the following information is made jointly by the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, then this amendment requires a nonprofit organization that has entered into a contract or memorandum of understanding with the district attorney general related to policies and strategies related to cash bail, unless such contract or memorandum of understanding is required by statute, to disclose to the speakers the list of persons or entities that have donated to the nonprofit organization in the previous calendar year in accordance with this amendment; (2) The disclosed list of persons or entities that have donated to the nonprofit organization must be restricted to the lesser of the top five donors or the top 5 percent of donors in the previous calendar year. The aggregate donation during the previous calendar year must be equal to or greater than $25,000; and (3) Disclosure of the list of persons or entities must only include the name of the person or entity. Other personal identifying information or details must not be included.
SB 2078/HB 1886: Implements penalties for certain offenses for beneficiaries of the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program and food stamp program, including penalties for fraudulent receipt of benefits. Removes an exemption from the TANF work requirement for a parent or caretaker relative who proves to the satisfaction of the department the existence of the person’s temporary incapacity or permanent disability. Removes the requirement that the TANF maximum payment standard must not increase when a caregiver relative becomes pregnant while receiving assistance.
SB 2134/HB 2405: Establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact for the purpose of increasing public access to social work services and reducing overly burdensome and duplicative requirements associated with holding multiple licenses.
SB 2399/HB 2296: Requires the Board of Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists (Board) to license without examination a marital and family therapist applicant who is licensed to practice independently in another state if the applicant’s qualifications meet the licensure requirements in this state.
SB 2410/HB 2504: Establishes that it is an offense for a person, on behalf of a debt collector or inbound telemarketer service, to knowingly cause any caller identification service to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information.