§ 20-17-103 — Chapter definitions

Tennessee § 20-17-103

• Jurisdiction: Tennessee
• Title: 20

Text

As used in this chapter: (1) "Communication" means the making or submitting of a statement or document in any form or medium, including oral, written, audiovisual, or electronic; (2) "Exercise of the right of association" means exercise of the constitutional right to join together to take collective action on a matter of public concern that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution; (3) "Exercise of the right of free speech" means a communication made in connection with a matter of public concern or religious expression that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution; (4) "Exercise of the right to petition" means a communication that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution and: (A) Is intended to encourage consideration or review of an issue by a federal, state, or local legislative, executive, judicial, or other governmental body; or (B) Is intended to enlist public participation in an effort to effect consideration of an issue by a federal, state, or local legislative, executive, judicial, or other governmental body; (5) "Legal action" means a claim, cause of action, petition, cross-claim, or counterclaim or any request for legal or equitable relief initiated against a private party; (6) "Matter of public concern" includes an issue related to: (A) Health or safety; (B) Environmental, economic, or community well-being; (C) The government; (D) A public official or public figure; (E) A good, product, or service in the marketplace; (F) A literary, musical, artistic, political, theatrical, or audiovisual work; or (G) Any other matter deemed by a court to involve a matter of public concern; and (7) "Party" does not include a governmental entity, agency, or employee.

Legislative History

Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 185,s 1, eff. 7/1/2019.