Tennessee § 16-10-213 - Information to be collected and reported to the federal bureau of investigation-NICS index and the department of safety by those circuit courts and criminal courts in which commitments to a mental institution are ordered.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-10-213 — Information to be collected and reported to the federal bureau of investigation-NICS index and the department of safety by those circuit courts and criminal courts in which commitments to a mental institution are ordered., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 16-10-213. Information to be collected and reported to the federal bureau of investigation-NICS index and the department of safety by those circuit courts and criminal courts in which commitments to a mental institution are ordered.

As used in this section: “Adjudication as a mental defective or adjudicated as a mental defective” means: A determination by a court in this state that a person, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, mental illness, incompetency, condition or disease: Is a danger to such person or to others; or Lacks the ability to contract or manage such person's own affairs due to mental defect; A finding of insanity by a court in a criminal proceeding; or A finding that a person is incompetent to stand trial or is found not guilty by reason of insanity pursuant to §§ 50a and 72b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, codified in 10 U.S.C. §§ 850a, 876b; “Judicial commitment to a mental institution” means a judicially ordered involuntary admission to a private or state hospital or treatment resource in proceedings conducted pursuant to title 33, chapter 6 or 7; “Mental institution” means a mental health facility, mental hospital, sanitarium, psychiatric facility and any other facility that provides diagnoses by a licensed professional of mental retardation or mental illness, including, but not limited to, a psychiatric ward in a general hospital; and “Treatment resource” means any public or private facility, service or program providing treatment or rehabilitation services for mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, including, but not limited to, detoxification centers, hospitals, community mental health centers, clinics or programs, halfway houses and rehabilitation centers. Those circuit courts and criminal courts wherein commitments to a mental institution are ordered pursuant to title 33, chapter 6 or 7 or persons are adjudicated as a mental defective shall enter a standing and continuing order instructing the clerk to collect and report as soon as practicable, but no later than the third business day following the date of such an order or adjudication, information described in subsection (c) regarding individuals who have been adjudicated as a mental defective or judicially committed to a mental institution for the purposes of complying with the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, P.L. 110-180. The following information shall be collected and reported to the federal bureau of investigation-NICS Index and the department of safety, pursuant to subsection (b): Complete name and all aliases of the individual judicially committed or adjudicated as a mental defective, including, but not limited to, any names that the individual may have had or currently has by reason of marriage or otherwise; Case or docket number of the judicial commitment or the adjudication as a mental defective; Date judicial commitment ordered or adjudication as a mental defective was made; Private or state hospital or treatment resource to which the individual was judicially committed; Date of birth of the individual judicially committed or adjudicated as a mental defective, if such information has been provided to the clerk; Race and sex of the individual judicially committed or adjudicated as a mental defective; and Social security number of the individual judicially committed or adjudicated as a mental defective if available. The information in subdivisions (c)(1)-(5), the confidentiality of which is protected by other statutes or regulations, shall be maintained as confidential and not subject to public inspection pursuant to applicable statutes or regulations, except for such use as may be necessary in the conduct of any proceedings pursuant to §§ 38-6-109, 39-17-1316, and 39-17-1352 — 39-17-1354. Acts 2009, ch. 578, § 1; 2013, ch. 300, § 3; 2018, ch. 799, §§ 2, 5. Amendments. The 2013 amendment substituted “collect and report as soon as practicable, but no later than the third business day following the date of such an order or adjudication” for “collect and report January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of every year beginning January 1, 2010” in (b). The 2018 amendment added (c)(6) and (7); and substituted “applicable statutes” for “such statutes” and substituted “pursuant to §§ 38-6-109 , 39-17-1316 , and 39-17-1352 — 39-17-1354 ” for “pursuant to §§ 39-17-1316 , 39-17-1353 and 39-17-1354 ” at the end of (d). Effective Dates. Acts 2009, ch. 578, § 13. January 1, 2010. Acts 2013, ch. 300, § 11. July 1, 2013. Acts 2018, ch. 799, § 7. July 1, 2018. Cross-References. Confidentiality of public records, § 10-7-504 . Attorney General Opinions. T.C.A. § 16-10-213 does not conflict with the patient privacy protections of either T.C.A. title 33 or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) privacy provisions. OAG 10-56, 2010 Tenn. AG LEXIS 56 (4/26/10).

Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 16-10-213

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-10-213 cover?

Section 16-10-213 ("Information to be collected and reported to the federal bureau of investigation-NICS index and the department of safety by those circuit courts and criminal courts in which commitments to a mental institution are ordered.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Tennessee § 16-10-213?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-10-213" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Tennessee law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.

How does Tennessee § 16-10-213 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.