The House Committee on Monday voted to advance a bill that would repeal the Tennessee Human Rights Commission against objections from some Democrats. This law could put Tennessee’s rights at risk to seek justice in their discrimination claims.
Proposed law (HB910/SB861) Senator John Stevens of Huntingdon and Johnny Garrett of Goodlettsville are both Republicans and will transfer the responsibility of the nonpartisan committee to the Attorney General’s Office, the newly created civil rights enforcement division.
Panel Democrats questioned the need to demolish a 60-year-old independent committee that was responsible for enforcing civil rights laws on employment, housing and public accommodation, including an investigation into discrimination claims against Tennessee, and actively defended his office’s conservative causes for his responsibility as Attorney General.
“I think that as long as this Attorney General makes political decisions rather than legal decisions, it should be very careful to consider them as long as it threatens the civil rights of Tennessee citizens,” said Rep. John Ray Clemons, a Nashville Democrat.
Garrett said that while the Human Rights Commission is currently doing a “great job,” giving the Attorney General the power to enforce civil rights could serve as a greater deterrent for those accused of discrimination.
“I think if someone receives a letter or action that says the Attorney General is investigating their actions, it will cheer up some people,” he said.
The proposed law changes the scope of discrimination claims that may be pursued against educational institutions.
The bill creates a route for those who are denied admission to schools based on “racial, color, or country of origin” or participation in clubs or activities.
However, in response to a question from MP Ga Hardaway regarding whether the origins of the proposed law were “somehow related to reverse discrimination,” Garrett responded to the question, “I didn’t know how to respond.”
The bill also excludes disability and religion from the list of discriminatory activities in educational institutions that are required by the Attorney General to investigate. Garrett pointed out that there remains a federal road to pursue these claims.
Tennessee Legislature to abolish discrimination Watchdog Agency’s advance
The bill would have the option of removing the Human Rights Commission by July 1, transferring 30 employees to the Attorney General’s office, and then using the employees at his discretion.
Approximately 1,000 discrimination complaints were dismissed before the committee was rejected, and Muriel Malone Noren and Muriel Malone Noren, who testified last week to the individuals who brought them along, and the employers and agencies who spent the time and money defending themselves.
While individuals who filed complaints have the option to resume complaints within 90 days of the law’s effect, Noren noted that some of these actions have come out of the 180-day restriction law and are no longer viable.
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