NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Rep. Pitts (D-Clarksville), who is completing his 6th and final term serving House District 67 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, filed several pieces of his legislation this month.
Credit Report Freeze
The security breach of Equifax impacts an estimated 3 million Tennesseans. Their response to the problem was slow, and not consumer friendly. Industry groups have filed suit against them to address the problem.
“This legislation was brought to me by a constituent that was charged to place a freeze on her credit report when Equifax’s records were breached,” Pitts said. “Even though this was not the fault of the constituent, Equifax is allowed to charge a fee for this service. Since credit reporting agencies do not do business directly with the consumer, it is unfair for them to profit from a serious breach of confidentiality. This legislation is similar to what other states already have in effect.”
Dual Enrollment Grants
House Bill 1495/Senate Bill 1676 (Sen. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) will eliminate the one-year Tennessee residency requirement for a dual enrollment grant; but still requires that a student be a Tennessee resident on the date of application for, or for renewal of, a dual enrollment grant.
The Dual Enrollment Grant program is defined as a grant for study at an eligible post-secondary institution that is funded from net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to students who are attending an eligible high school and who are also enrolled in college courses at eligible post-secondary institutions for which they will receive college credit.
“The idea is to help students who come to Tennessee as dependents of our military or a student moving into our State with their families during their senior year in high school to obtain college credits through the dual enrollment program,” Pitts said.