Bill > SB2222

This bill establishes a new legal pathway for individuals to seek damages from those who pay others to participate in demonstrations, if the paid participants engage in illegal conduct. Specifically, it defines "compensation" as any payment or valuable consideration for participation in a "demonstration," which is a public gathering protesting or expressing views on a political issue, and a "demonstrator" as someone who personally attends such a gathering. The bill allows for "vicarious liability," meaning the person providing compensation can be held responsible for damages caused by the paid demonstrator, even if they didn't directly cause the harm themselves. This liability applies if the demonstrator's actions meet the legal requirements for specific criminal offenses, including riot, aggravated riot, disorderly conduct, obstructing a highway, harassment, and civil disorder, among others. Importantly, to hold someone liable under this law, a plaintiff only needs to prove that compensation was provided for demonstration participation and that the demonstrator's conduct constituted one of the listed offenses; a criminal conviction of the demonstrator is not required. This new law applies to actions occurring on or after its effective date.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2222&ga=114