Several new Tennessee state laws take effect on January 1. The new rules include protections for pregnant workers, changes to tobacco laws, an expansion of the emergency alert system and tax regulations for sharing platforms.

Pregnant workers at companies with more than 15 employees will be guaranteed some accommodations including extra restroom breaks and decreased standing requirements. Civil legal remedies are available for workers who are denied these reasonable accommodations.

Tennessee tobacco laws will also change on the first day of the year. The legal age to buy tobacco, hemp and vape products will be raised from 18 to 21 in accordance with a federal law passed in 2019. Minors caught trying to purchase these products, directly or through another person, may face criminal charges.

The Holly Bobo Act will expand the use of the state’s emergency alert system. The current system only allows alerts for abducted minors under 18 who are in imminent danger. Named for an 18-year-old girl who was abducted and killed, the Holly Bobo Act permits alerts for persons between 18 and 21.

Laws clarifying tax rules for property sharing services will also come into effect. Airbnb owners and other persons who rent out their lodging short-term will not have to pay a commercial property tax rate. Another new law sets out rules for residents who want to rent out their vehicles, including insurance and liability details.

An abortion bill that was passed in 2020 would also be coming into effect on January 1. The legislation bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is often in the first six weeks and sometimes before a person knows they are pregnant. However, given that courts have found at least part of this bill to be unconstitutional, it will not come into effect.