Bill > SB1100

This bill addresses restrictions on book donations to inmates in Tennessee correctional institutions by establishing clear guidelines for how printed materials from book vendors can be handled. The legislation defines several key terms, including "book vendor" as a nonprofit organization donating books to inmates, and specifies what types of printed materials can be restricted. Correctional institutions are prohibited from denying printed materials from book vendors, except under specific security-related circumstances. The bill outlines seven specific conditions under which materials can be deemed a security threat, such as content that might incite violence, advocate lawlessness, provide escape plans, contain security threat group information, or include sexually explicit materials that could compromise institutional safety. Inmates who believe they have been wrongly denied materials are granted the right to petition for a hearing under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. Importantly, the bill distinguishes between harmful content and educational or medical materials, ensuring that nudity or sexual content with legitimate educational value is not automatically banned. The legislation will take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to balance inmate access to educational materials with maintaining institutional security.