NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison, announced that legislation ensuring qualified applicants are not permanently barred from certain public safety positions due to a single psychological evaluation has been signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee.
House Bill 2074 allows individuals applying for positions that require a badge to seek a second psychological evaluation if they were not cleared during the initial assessment.
Co-sponsored with Sen. Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun, the new law provides a pathway for reconsideration across a range of public safety roles, including state park rangers and law enforcement officers. While the legislation does not require agencies to reconsider an employment decision, it gives departments the discretion to do so if a second evaluation determines the applicant is fit for duty. The law also clarifies that psychological evaluations are part of an applicant’s employment file and ensures those records remain confidential and accessible only to the applicant.
“A single psychological evaluation should not permanently disqualify someone from serving their community, particularly when a second professional assessment may provide additional context,” said Vital. “This law helps create a fairer process while still maintaining high standards for public safety positions.”
Psychological evaluations are a standard part of the hiring process for public safety roles and are used nationwide to assess whether candidates are prepared to meet the mental demands of the job. Many law enforcement agencies are experiencing a 27% to 60% decline in recruits, making it increasingly important to maintain a strong pipeline of qualified applicants while upholding rigorous hiring standards.
House Bill 2074 was signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee and took effect on April 27, 2026.
Rep. Greg Vital represents District 29, which includes parts of Hamilton County. Rep. Vital serves on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Commerce and Transportation Committee, as well as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee.