TN HB1870

Grants police powers, including arrest authority, to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, deputies, municipal fire investigators, and salaried county fire investigators for arson and suspected arson cases, provided they hold current POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification

Allows fire investigators to conduct non-police investigations into fire origins and circumstances without POST certification, as long as they are not exercising arrest or other police powers

Requires municipal and county fire investigators to be authorized by their fire chief or director of fire services before exercising police powers in arson investigations

Mandates that fire investigators seeking POST certification must meet police officer qualifications, complete an approved recruit training program, and complete annual in-service training to maintain certification

Takes effect January 1, 2027, applying to conduct occurring on or after that date