TN SB1915

Expands immigration status verification requirements for public benefits to include local governmental entities (counties, cities, towns), in addition to state agencies and local health departments already covered under existing law

Requires all covered entities to verify that applicants 18 years or older are U.S. citizens or lawfully present before providing federal, state, or local public benefits, with local government implementation beginning after July 1, 2026

Mandates monthly reporting to the General Assembly, Department of Finance and Administration, and centralized immigration enforcement division on applicants denied benefits or terminated from recurring benefits due to immigration status

Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate violations by local governments and withhold all state funds—including grants, contracts, and state-shared taxes—from non-compliant entities

Creates a Class A misdemeanor penalty for government employees or officials who fail to report non-citizens or non-qualified aliens receiving public benefits to the centralized immigration enforcement division