§ 8-8-303 — Waiver of governmental immunity - Special deputies

(a) The governmental immunity of the county in which the sheriff serves is waived for purposes of § 8-8-302 , but to an extent not in excess of the minimum amount required for a surety bond applicable to that county's sheriff pursuant to § 8-8-103 . This cap, based on the amount required for a bond, shall apply regardless of whether the sheriff is covered by a surety bond or an insurance policy pursuant to § 8-19-101 . (b) Anyone incurring any wrong, injury, loss, damage, or expense resulting from any act or failure to act on the part of any special deputy appointed by the sheriff, but not employed by the sheriff or the county, shall not bring suit therefor against the sheriff or the county, and the sheriff and county shall be immune from such suits, and the plaintiff shall be required to pursue the remedy therefor against such special deputy and/or the employer or employers of such special deputy, whether the special deputy is acting within the scope of employment or not. Such immunity from suit shall not apply in the case of special volunteer or reserve sheriff's deputies while performing official law enforcement duties under supervision or direction of the sheriff. (c) No person may serve as a special deputy unless such person proves to the appointing sheriff financial responsibility, as evidenced by a corporate surety bond in no less amount than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or by a liability insurance policy of the employer in no less amount than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

Legislative History

Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 260, s 2, eff. 4/30/2019. Acts 1972, ch. 800, § 3; 1976, ch. 775, § 1; T.C.A., § 8-834.