Tennessee Plans to Eliminate Human Rights Commission

 Posted on May 15, 2025 in Civil Rights

Members of the Tennessee House voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill that would transfer the investigation of discrimination complaints to the Attorney General, dissolving the Tennessee Human Rights Commission in the process. The Human Rights Commission is a nonpartisan, independent agency that has existed in the state for six decades.

The agency is responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in public accommodations, housing, and employment, and for investigating discrimination claims against the state of Tennessee. The Commission has 33 staff members, including investigators, attorneys, and other support personnel, and ensures that the state complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  

If this bill passes, Tennessee residents might have to rely primarily on attorneys who defend civil rights through lawsuits. If you or a loved one is facing a police brutality or excessive use of force issue or a denial of medical care issue, it can be beneficial to speak to a knowledgeable Rutledge, TN civil rights attorney.   

What Effect Would Dissolving the Human Rights Commission Have on Tennessee Residents?

After less than 10 minutes of discussion, the measure passed the House with a 73-23 vote despite doubts raised regarding the ability of the Attorney General’s office to investigate claims without bias. Funding for the Human Rights Commission will be transferred to the department should the bill become law.

If passed, more than 1,000 Tennessee residents who have followed the correct procedures will have their existing discrimination claims dismissed and will be required to re-file those claims with the Attorney General’s office within a very short timeframe.

Have Police Brutality and Excessive Use of Force Claims Increased or Decreased?

In the decade since the Ferguson, Missouri incident, documented police killings across the United States have stayed virtually the same, with between 1,000 and 1,300 people killed each year from 2013 to 2024. Blacks, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders continue to be killed by police at higher rates than the general population and at much higher rates than whites.  

When a law enforcement officer uses more force than is reasonably necessary to resolve a problem or apprehend a suspect, this is considered excessive force. While law enforcement officers do have the right to use force in certain situations, that force must be proportional to the threat. Courts evaluate excessive force claims under the Fourth Amendment by asking whether the use of force matched the severity of the offense.

Deadly force used on a suspect who committed a minor traffic infraction is likely to be deemed excessive. The use of force may be unnecessary – and unlawful – if the suspect poses no real threat to public safety. Law enforcement officers can use reasonable force to restrain an individual who is resisting arrest, but again, the force used must be proportional. Beating or tasing a person who is already subdued is considered excessive.

Law enforcement officers are trained to de-escalate tense situations. If a less aggressive option is available but deadly force is used, an excessive force claim is warranted. The unwarranted use of excessive or deadly force not only violates an individual’s civil rights but also undermines public trust in law enforcement as a whole. Victims of excessive force can suffer life-altering injuries, as well as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, long after the incident.  

Contact a Grainger County, TN Civil Rights Lawyer

If you are facing a violation of your civil rights, including an excessive use of force by law enforcement claim, it can be beneficial to speak to a Blaine, TN civil rights attorney from The Baker Law Firm. Attorney Baker teaches civil law cases at his law school and is a presenter for the Tennessee Bar Association on Federal litigation on civil rights, constitutional claims, qualified immunity, and police use of force. To schedule your free consultation, call 865-200-4117.