Amends TCA Title 14.

FACE COVERINGS GENERALLY<br /> <br /> Under present law, unless certain exceptions as described below apply:<br /> <br /> (1) A governmental entity is prohibited from requiring a person to wear a face covering as a condition to access the governmental entity's premises or facilities, or to receive the benefits of the governmental entity's products or services, unless severe conditions exist and the requirement is in effect for no more than 14 days; and<br /> <br /> (2) An employer that is a governmental entity is prohibited from requiring an employee to wear a face covering as a term or condition of employment, or take an adverse action against an employee for failing to wear a face covering, unless severe conditions exist at the time the requirement is adopted and the requirement is in effect for not more than 14 days.<br /> <br /> As used in the provisions above, "severe conditions" mean the governor has declared a state of emergency for COVID-19, and a county has an average rolling 14-day COVID-19 infection rate of at least 1,000 new known infections for every 100,000 residents of the county based on the most recent data published by the department of health.<br /> <br /> Present law exceptions to the above provisions include the following:<br /> <br /> (a) A governmental entity is prohibited from requiring a person to wear a face covering if the person provides documentation from the person's healthcare provider that wearing a face covering is contraindicated for the person, or if the person objects to wearing a face covering because of the person's sincerely held religious belief;<br /> <br /> (b) The above provisions do not authorize a person to access the premises or facilities of a governmental entity, or to receive the benefits of a governmental entity's products or services, if the person is otherwise prohibited from accessing its premises or facilities, or from receiving the benefits of its products or services; and<br /> <br /> (c) The above provisions do not apply to state or local correctional facilities housing inmates in a congregate living arrangement.<br /> <br /> This bill removes the provisos in (1) and (2) above regarding severe conditions existing and the requirement having been in effect for no more than 14 days. This bill also removes the exceptions in (a) and (b) above.<br /> <br /> FACE COVERINGS FOR SCHOOLS<br /> <br /> Present law generally prohibits a school or a governing body of a school from requiring a person to wear a face covering while on school property unless certain circumstances exist as provided in present law. This bill deletes the existing law and provides, instead, that a school or governing body of a school is prohibited from requiring a person to wear a face covering while on school property.<br />