NASHVILLE, Tenn. –The Tennessee General Assembly this week passed legislation to protect law enforcement officers engaged in high-risk and undercover operations.
House Bill 2506, sponsored by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and co-sponsored by State Rep. Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, requires state and local government entities to keep certain personal information of law enforcement officers confidential in limited or undercover circumstances, including immigration enforcement operations.
“House Bill 2506 is about protecting the men and women on the front lines of law enforcement,” said Sexton. “We cannot allow sensitive operational details or personal information to be weaponized against those enforcing the law. I’m grateful for Chairman Howell and his leadership in passing this much-needed legislation.”
Tennessee law currently lacks a consistent, statewide standard to safeguard sensitive information across state and local governments. The new legislation closes that gap by establishing criminal penalties for any state or local official who releases protected information through criminal negligence, making such conduct a Class E felony and grounds for removal from office.
“Those who take an oath to serve and protect our communities should never have to fear their personal information being weaponized against them or their families,” said Howell. “In today’s environment, where threats and harassment against law enforcement are on the rise, this legislation sends a clear message: if you put our officers at risk, there will be consequences. The least we can do is provide an added layer of protection by safeguarding their privacy and the safety of those closest to them.”
The bill also establishes misdemeanor and felony offenses for individuals required to maintain confidentiality of protected records who negligently or intentionally disclose that information.
The Department of Homeland Security in January warned that death threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) have skyrocketed, soaring as much as 8,000% between late 2025 and early 2026. Assaults on officers increased by 1,300% for the same period. The dramatic increase has put the men and women who protect U.S. borders in unprecedented danger, DHS officials said.
House Bill 2506 now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk to be signed into law.
Rep. Dan Howell represents District 22, which represents Meigs, Polk and part of Bradley counties.
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