Tenn. Code § 39-16-506

Current through Acts 2023-2024, ch. 1003
Section 39-16-506 - Coercion of employee who is public servant by employer or agent of employer
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Coercion" means a threat, however communicated, to:
(A) Commit any offense;
(B) Wrongfully accuse any person of any offense;
(C) Expose any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule;
(D) Harm the credit or business repute of any person; or
(E) Take or withhold action related to the employment of a public servant or a family member of a public servant;
(2) "Employee" includes, but is not limited to:
(A) A person employed by the state or any municipality, county, department, board, commission, agency, instrumentality, political subdivision, or any other entity of the state;
(B) A person employed by a private employer; or
(C) A person who receives compensation from the federal government for services performed for the federal government, notwithstanding that the person is not a full-time employee of the federal government; and
(3) "Employer" includes, but is not limited to:
(A) The state or any municipality, county, department, board, commission, agency, instrumentality, political subdivision, or any other entity of the state;
(B) A private employer; or
(C) The federal government, as to an employee who receives compensation from the federal government for services performed for the federal government, notwithstanding that the person is not a full-time federal employee.
(b) An employer, or an agent of an employer acting on behalf of the employer, commits an offense who by means of coercion:
(1) Influences or attempts to influence an employee who is a public servant to vote or not to vote in a particular manner; or
(2) Influences or attempts to influence an employee who is a public servant to resign as a public servant or unnecessarily recuse themselves from a public body with the intent to influence the action or inaction of a public body.
(c) A violation of this section is a Class E felony.

T.C.A. § 39-16-506

Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1142, s 2, eff. 7/1/2022.