TOP IMAGE: Beginning in July, WLAF’s website will have a ‘Legals’ tab, on the black bar above, where new notices will be posted and older ones archived.

NASHVILLE, TN. (WLAF)- Legal notices will now be seen by more people following the passage of a new law.

During this spring’s Tennessee Legislative session, HB2114 was passed with a wide margin in both houses. CLICK HERE for more information on the bill.

The bill was sponsored by Dennis Powers, 36th District State Representative and co- sponsored by Ken Yager, 12th District State Senator.

“HB 2114 will provide more access to legal notices by the public by requiring them to be listed on a local website free to the public,” Powers said.

Previously, legal notices could only be published in a newspaper of general circulation. But when the new law takes effect on July 1, those notices must now also be published on a news and information website, if available, that meets the following criteria:

  • The news and information website must have a URL.
  • Has been published continuously for the previous 12-month period.
  • Has been published using recognized standards of professional journalism.
  • Must have content revised on a regular basis not less than three times per week.
  • Bears a fixed title or name and date lines and complies with and abides by all copyright law.
  • Does not serve primarily as a platform to promote the interests or opinions of a special interest group, individual, or cause.
  • Is principally devoted to the dissemination of local or general news with at least 50 percent of all editorial content reported being original, excluding advertisements.
  • Exists and is registered pursuant to state law with the secretary of state. The news and information website must have an office of publication known to be based in the county in which the notice is required to be published and that is available and open to the public where business is transacted during usual business hours, that maintains a telephone number and email listing, and that includes in each updated publication the contact information of the news and information website.

“Many, especially the younger generation, do not read newspapers and get most of their information online, so we are trying to make legal notices available to everyone in this new world of technology,” Powers said.

Beginning July 1, WLAF will be publishing all notices that were previously only required to be published in a newspaper. The site will have a ‘Legals’ tab where new notices will be posted and older ones archived.

This section will be updated on Tuesday and Thursdays.

For more information on posting legal notices with WLAF, contact the station at wlaf@1450wlaf.com. In the subject line put ‘Legals.’ (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 6/5/2024- 6AM)

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