HB 2111

This bill creates the state family advisory board ("board"") to be composed of nine members who must all be family members of individuals currently incarcerated in this state. The governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of repre sentatives must each appoint three members, with each member coming from a different grand division in this state. In making the initial appointments, this bill requires staggered terms. Following the expiration of initial terms, all members serve three-year terms that begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each applicable year. Additionally, members of the b oard are eligible for reappointment. This bill requires vacancies occurring on the board before the expiration of a term by reason of death, resignation, removal, or another reason to be filled in the same manner as the regular appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. An appoin ted member of the board serves in such capacity until the expiration of the term to which the member was appointed and until the member's successor is duly appointed and qualified. The governor and the speakers of the senate and house of representatives mu st remove a member of the board whom the respective appointing authority appointed for cause. This bill requires the members to elect one member of the board to serve as the chair for a term of one year beginning January 1 of the appropriate year. The chair must direct the operation of the board. The board may designate one of its members to ac t as chair during the absence or incapacity of the chair, and when so acting, the member so designated has and performs all the powers and duties of the chair of the board. POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD This bill requires the board to (i) foster effective communication between the department of correction (""department"") and family members, (ii) strengthen efforts for family reunification, (iii) build stronger families and communities upon reentry, and ( iv) provide feedback on relevant activities within the department. The department must provide staffing as necessary for the board to fulfill its duties under this bill BOARD MEETINGS – QUORUM OF MEMBERS – REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL This bill requires the commissioner of correction to call the first meeting of the board. The board must meet at least monthly at a time and place prescribed by the board. In addition to the regular meetings of the board, the board must hold at least t hree public informational meetings each year for family members and the public to provide comments. However, these meetings must not be held in the same grand division. This bill provides that a majority of members of the board constitutes a quorum for official administrative business. The board must take all votes by public ballot or public roll call. Secret ballots or secret roll calls are not permitted. This bill provides that members of the board serve without compensation. However, the members of the board must be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses in accordance with the state comprehensive travel regulations when engaging in the board's business. ENTITY REVIEW This bill provides that the commission terminates on June 30, 2028, for purposes of the Tennessee Governmental Entity Review Law. ON APRIL 20, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 2111, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #2 makes the following changes:  Changes the name of the board established by the bill from the state family advisory board to the state families of incarcerated individuals advisory board.  Provides that the state families of incarcerated individuals advisory board (""board"") is autonomous and has the authority to perform all administrative functions necessary to carry out its duties, including the submission of budget requests to the commissioner of finance and administration and the submission of personnel actions to the commissioner of human resources. The board is separate functionally and administratively from any other agency.  Clarifies that the members of the board must be family members of individuals currently incarcerated in this state, at the time of appointment.  Provides that the chair of the corrections subcommittee of the state and local government committee of the senate must call the first meeting of the board, rather than the commissioner of correction.  Requires the board to meet at least quarterly, rather than at least monthly.  Removes the requirement that the board hold at least three public informational meetings each year.  Requires the board to reserve time for family members and the public to provide comments at each regular meeting of the board.  Requires the department, a contractor, and all officers and employees of the department and contractor to cooperate with the board to enable the board to fulfill its duties at all times. ON APRIL 23, 2026, THE SENATE SUBSTITUTED HOUSE BILL 2111 FOR SENATE BILL 2531, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #4, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 2111, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #4 makes the following changes:  Clarifies that ""commissioner, as used in the bill, means the commissioner of correction.  Removes the provision authorizing the state families of incarcerated individuals advisory board (""board"") to submit budget requests to the commissioner of finance and administration and the submission of personnel actions to the commissioner of human resources.  Removes the provision requiring the board to be subject to the budgetary, accounting, personnel, purchasing, and audit requirements applicable to state departments and agencies when performing administrative and financial functions.  Authorizes board members to be family members of individuals who are currently or formerly incarcerated in this state, rather than only family members of individuals who are currently incarcerated in this state.  Requires the board to provide feedback on relevant activities within the department of correction to the commissioner of correction, the chair of the state and local government committee of the senate, and the chair of the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over correction matters.  Requires the chair of the state and local government committee of the senate, rather than the chair of the corrections subcommittee, to call the first meeting of the board.  Requires the board to reserve time for family members and the public to provide comments at the first three regular meetings of the board, rather than at each regular meeting. Each such meeting must be held in a separate grand division.  Requires the fourth meeting of the board to be in Nashville, and include staff from the department of correction and contractors providing correctional services to discuss the concerns raised by families and the public at the first three regular meetings. The board must also review department of correction and contractor rules, policies, and procedures relating to communication between the department and family members, family reunification, and the reentry of incarcerated individuals into society. Following this meeting, the board is required to prepare a report of the board's recommendations."