- Any person who in furtherance of such person’s right of free speech or petition under the Tennessee or United States Constitution in connection with a public or governmental issue communicates information regarding another person or entity to any agency of the federal, state or local government regarding a matter of concern to that agency shall be immune from civil liability on claims based upon the communication to the agency.
- The immunity conferred by this section shall not attach if the person communicating such information:
- Knew the information to be false;
- Communicated information in reckless disregard of its falsity; or
- Acted negligently in failing to ascertain the falsity of the information if such information pertains to a person or entity other than a public figure.
- A person prevailing upon the defense of immunity provided for in this section shall be entitled to recover costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in establishing the defense.