NASHVILLE, TN (WGNS) - State Rep. Tim Rudd of Murfreesboro is pushing new legislation he says will bring more transparency and compassion to how homeless Tennesseans are treated when local governments move them from one community to another. His bill, House Bill 1671, would require written consent from any city or county before another jurisdiction can relocate homeless individuals there. See Previous News Article With Soundbites and More HERE. 

Rudd says the goal is simple: no more quiet transfers of vulnerable people into unfamiliar places without coordination or a plan. “No local government should be relocating Tennesseans to unfamiliar places without transparency and coordination,” he said, adding that the measure is designed to protect both residents in need and the limited resources of cities across the state. He argues that people experiencing homelessness deserve stability, not surprise bus tickets or one‑way rides.

Under the proposal, public funds couldn’t be used for relocation unless the receiving community has available housing and the support services needed to help someone get back on their feet. That includes shelter space, case management, and other basic resources that prevent people from being dropped into a new city with nowhere to go.

If a jurisdiction violates the law, the affected community could seek damages or ask a court to stop the practice. Rudd says that accountability is key to making sure the system works the way it should.

House Bill 1671 cleared its first hurdle on Feb. 18, advancing out of the Cities and Counties Subcommittee. It now heads to the State and Local Government Committee for further debate in the coming weeks.

Rudd represents District 34, which covers part of Rutherford County. He says the bill reflects concerns he’s heard from local leaders who want a more coordinated, humane approach to homelessness—one that focuses on housing and support rather than shifting the problem from place to place.