TN HB1547

Criminal justice agencies must share data and records with "bona fide researchers" who have institutional review board approval and agree to use information only for research purposes without identifying specific individuals.

Mandatory data sharing covers law enforcement stops, searches, seizures, warrants, arrests, charges, sentences, pretrial/posttrial release, probation, parole, and correctional discipline records.

Researchers must certify they have security controls to prevent unauthorized access to confidential, personally identifiable data.

Attorney General must issue guidance by January 1, 2027 to help agencies comply with data-sharing requirements.

Agencies may charge reasonable fees not exceeding actual costs for search, retrieval, and copying of records, and releasing data to researchers does not waive future exemptions from public disclosure.