# Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-101: Purpose and intent > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-101 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-101 - **Heading:** Purpose and intent - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 4 / Chapter 21 / Section 4-21-101 ## Text (a) It is the purpose and intent of the general assembly by this chapter to: (1) Provide for execution within Tennessee of the policies embodied in the federal Civil Rights Acts of 1964, 1968 and 1972, the Pregnancy Amendment of 1978 ( 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(k) ), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.); (2) Assure that Tennessee has appropriate legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing sufficient to justify the deferral of cases by the federal equal employment opportunity commission, the department of housing and urban development, the secretary of labor and the department of justice under those statutes; (3) Safeguard all individuals within the state from discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin in connection with employment and public accommodations, and because of race, color, creed, religion, sex or national origin in connection with housing; (4) Protect their interest in personal dignity and freedom from humiliation; (5) Make available to the state their full productive capacity in employment; (6) Secure the state against domestic strife and unrest that would menace its democratic institutions; (7) Preserve the public safety, health and general welfare; and (8) Further the interest, rights, opportunities and privileges of individuals within the state. (b) The prohibitions in this chapter against discrimination because of age in connection with employment and public accommodations shall be limited to individuals who are at least forty (40) years of age. Acts 1978, ch. 748, § 2; T.C.A., § 4-2101; Acts 1980, ch. 732, §§ 1-4; 1984, ch. 1007, § 1; 1986, ch. 807, § 1; 1988, ch. 714, § 6. (a) It is the purpose and intent of the general assembly by this chapter to: (1) Provide for execution within Tennessee of the policies embodied in the federal Civil Rights Acts of 1964, 1968 and 1972, the Pregnancy Amendment of 1978 ( 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(k) ), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.); (2) Assure that Tennessee has appropriate legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing sufficient to justify the deferral of cases by the federal equal employment opportunity commission, the department of housing and urban development, the secretary of labor and the department of justice under those statutes; (3) Safeguard all individuals within the state from discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin in connection with employment and public accommodations, and because of race, color, creed, religion, sex or national origin in connection with housing; (4) Protect their interest in personal dignity and freedom from humiliation; (5) Make available to the state their full productive capacity in employment; (6) Secure the state against domestic strife and unrest that would menace its democratic institutions; (7) Preserve the public safety, health and general welfare; and (8) Further the interest, rights, opportunities and privileges of individuals within the state. (1) Provide for execution within Tennessee of the policies embodied in the federal Civil Rights Acts of 1964, 1968 and 1972, the Pregnancy Amendment of 1978 ( 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(k) ), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.); (2) Assure that Tennessee has appropriate legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing sufficient to justify the deferral of cases by the federal equal employment opportunity commission, the department of housing and urban development, the secretary of labor and the department of justice under those statutes; oyment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.); (2) Assure that Tennessee has appropriate legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing sufficient to justify the deferral of cases by the federal equal employment opportunity commission, the department of housing and urban development, the secretary of labor and the department of justice under those statutes; (3) Safeguard all individuals within the state from discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin in connection with employment and public accommodations, and because of race, color, creed, religion, sex or national origin in connection with housing; (4) Protect their interest in personal dignity and freedom from humiliation; (5) Make available to the state their full productive capacity in employment; (6) Secure the state against domestic strife and unrest that would menace its democratic institutions; (7) Preserve the public safety, health and general welfare; and (8) Further the interest, rights, opportunities and privileges of individuals within the state. (b) The prohibitions in this chapter against discrimination because of age in connection with employment and public accommodations shall be limited to individuals who are at least forty (40) years of age. Acts 1978, ch. 748, § 2; T.C.A., § 4-2101; Acts 1980, ch. 732, §§ 1-4; 1984, ch. 1007, § 1; 1986, ch. 807, § 1; 1988, ch. 714, § 6. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-101 Purpose and intent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-102 Chapter definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-201 Commission created - Members](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-201.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-202 Powers and duties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-202.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-203 Duties and responsibilities of the human rights commission to verify compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-203.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-204 Complaint form](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-204.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-301 Discriminatory practices](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-301.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-302 Complaints - Consideration by commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-302.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-303 Conciliation agreements - Temporary relief](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-303.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-304 Hearings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-304.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-305 Findings and orders](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-305.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-306 Remedies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-306.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-307 Judicial review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-307.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-21-308 Access to records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-308.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T4_C21_S4-21-101. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.