Signed by Governor Bill Haslam

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits an employer from terminating an employee for transporting or storing a firearm in his or her parked vehicle, beginning July 1, 2015.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an employer from terminating or taking any adverse employment action against an employee with a handgun carry permit for transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition in a vehicle parked in an employer parking area, if the following criteria are met (Sec. 1):
• The firearm or ammunition is kept from public view if the employee is in the vehicle; or 
• The firearm or ammunition is locked inside the employee’s vehicle.

• Authorizes an employee to file an action against an employer for a violation of the provisions in this bill within 1 year of the termination or adverse employment action (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill do not prohibit an employer from prohibiting firearms or ammunition in other locations of the business besides the employer parking area (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the presence of a firearm or ammunition in an employer parking area, as provided by the provisions in this bill, does not constitute a failure by the employer to provide a safe workplace (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits an employer from terminating an employee for transporting or storing a firearm in his or her parked vehicle, beginning July 1, 2015.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an employer from terminating or taking any adverse employment action against an employee with a handgun carry permit for transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition in a vehicle parked in an employer parking area, if the following criteria are met (Sec. 1):
• The firearm or ammunition is kept from public view if the employee is in the vehicle; or 
• The firearm or ammunition is locked inside the employee’s vehicle.

• Authorizes an employee to file an action against an employer for a violation of the provisions in this bill within 1 year of the termination or adverse employment action (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill do not prohibit an employer from prohibiting firearms or ammunition in other locations of the business besides the employer parking area (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the presence of a firearm or ammunition in an employer parking area, as provided by the provisions in this bill, does not constitute a failure by the employer to provide a safe workplace (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text