TN HB1639

Creates the Office of Homeland Security within the Tennessee Department of Safety, with the commissioner appointing its head and authority to employ commissioned agents and noncommissioned personnel.

Grants the office authority to direct statewide homeland security activities, develop anti-terrorism strategies, and conduct overt and covert investigations into terrorism, school threats, critical infrastructure attacks, cyber-attacks, and threats to public officials.

Authorizes the office to coordinate school security policy, review school security plans, assist the Secretary of State with election infrastructure security upon request, and operate a statewide information and intelligence center.

Commissions homeland security officers as peace officers with statewide arrest powers, authority to carry weapons on and off duty, and ability to serve criminal process in any Tennessee county.

Requires homeland security officers to complete initial and recurrent law enforcement training equivalent to Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission requirements.