James "Dustin" Samples Act : Public Chapter 465, report with recommendations for Tennessee municipalities (revised 2025)

MTAS consultants have prepared a summary and explanation of Public Chapter 465, known as the "James "Dustin" Samples Act." 

In collaboration with the Tennessee Fire Service Coalition and the Tennessee Professional Firefighters Association, the 113th Tennessee General Assembly passed HB0976/SB0856 on April 21, 2023. Governor Bill Lee signed the legislation on May 17th. Known as the “James ‘Dustin’ Samples Act” (Act), this legislation became effective on May 17, 2023, for purposes and promulgating rules and will become effective on January 1, 2024, for all other purposes. The legislation amends Tennessee Code Annotated (after this T.C.A.) Title 7, Chapter 51, Part 2, and Title 50, Chapter 6, Part 1. With the passage of the Act, Tennessee is one of at least twenty-five states in the United States that have enacted such legislation.

2025--An amendment to the James “Dustin” Samples Act was passed by the Tennessee House of Representatives on April 22, 2025, with a vote of 91 Ayes and 1 No vote. The Tennessee State Senate passed the amendment with a vote of 33 Ayes and 0 No votes. Governor Lee signed the 2025 amended Act with an effective date of July 1, 2025.