As used in this chapter:(1) 'Communication' means the making or submitting of a statement or document in any form or medium, including oral, written, audiovisual, or electronic;(2) 'Exercise of the right of association' means exercise of the constitutional right to join together to take collective action on a matter of public concern that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution;(3) 'Exercise of the right of free speech' means a communication made in connection with a matter of public concern or religious expression that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution;(4) 'Exercise of the right to petition' means a communication that falls within the protection of the United States Constitution or the Tennessee Constitution and: (A) Is intended to encourage consideration or review of an issue by a federal, state, or local legislative, executive, judicial, or other governmental body; or(B) Is intended to enlist public participation in an effort to effect consideration of an issue by a federal, state, or local legislative, executive, judicial, or other governmental body;(5) 'Legal action' intended to enlist public participation in an effort to effect consideration of an issue by a federal, state, or local legislative, executive, judicial, or other governmental body;(5) 'Legal action' means a claim, cause of action, petition, cross-claim, or counterclaim or any request for legal or equitable relief initiated against a private party;(6) 'Matter of public concern' includes an issue related to:(A) Health or safety;(B) Environmental, economic, or community well-being;(C) The government;(D) A public official or public figure;(E) A good, product, or service in the marketplace;(F) A literary, musical, artistic, political, theatrical, or audiovisual work; or(G) Any other matter deemed by a court to involve a matter of public concern; and(7) 'Party' does not include a governmental entity, agency, or employee.Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 185,s 1, eff. 7/1/2019.
Tennessee Legal Code