Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, is asking Gov. Bill Lee to call a special session of the legislature to “curtail the overreach by independent health boards and officials” and “protect all Tennesseans from misdirected mandates” related to COVID-19, WPLN reports. In a letter to the governor, signed by all House Republicans, Sexton also says the legislature should “evaluate the ongoing discrimination” against people prevented from entering buildings because they are unvaccinated. Senate Speaker Randy McNally has dismissed the idea of a special session but says if one is held it should focus on keeping classrooms healthy and safe. Lee’s office says he is reviewing the request.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) were back in court this week, sparring over an ongoing lawsuit surrounding COVID-19 precautions at the Shelby County Jail, the Daily Memphian reports. The sheriff’s office moved to terminate a consent decree that both parties agreed to in April that offered guidelines for protecting inmates from infection, as well as how to administer the jail’s vaccination program. Nathan Tilly, who represents the sheriff’s office, argued that the jail has satisfied the three points needed to fulfill the decree: a 14-day vaccination benchmark, adequate educational materials and the implementation of non-punitive incentives. Attorneys for the ACLU, and other civil rights groups like Memphis’ Just City, called expert witness, Michael Brady, who was hired by the court in 2020 to give inspections. Brady cited several issues of “great concern,” and said the jail’s vaccination rate is “dramatically lower” than other jails. 

With COVID-19 numbers rising in the community and in Davidson County jails, the sheriff’s office has announced that until further notice, individuals required to serve “weekend time” should not report. Instead, they should call 615-862-8367 to reschedule. Currently, 66 inmates are testing positive and the number of inmates on restriction is 481, Mainstreet Nashville reports.

A small COVID-19 outbreak in some Blount County Justice Center offices has led to the closure of the walk-up desks for the Blount County Circuit Court and General Sessions Court, the Maryville Daily Times reports. Circuit Court Clerk Tom Hatcher said five people have contracted the virus and others are quarantining. Court clerks can still be reached by phone at 865-273-5400 or email, and there are drop-off boxes at the justice center. Courtroom proceedings have not been affected.

Tennessee Court of Workers' Compensation Claims Chief Judge Kenneth M. Switzer announced today that the court’s plan to return to in-person settlements in September has been put on hold due to a rise in COVID cases. It will now consider a return to in-person proceedings on a monthly basis. Switzer also said the court will provide 30 days notice before implementing any in-person protocols for its offices.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper today signed an executive order requiring face masks indoors at all city buildings, effective tomorrow, the Tennessean reports. The order comes after a new wave of COVID-19 infections tied to the more contagious Delta variant. Shelby County, Hamilton County and the City of Knoxville have all previously enacted mask mandates for city buildings as well. Metro’s mandate applies to all Metro employees and members of the public, and it will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Gov. Bill Lee issued Executive Order 82 on Friday to temporarily continue a limited state of emergency for the state, MSN reports. The order extends portions of Executive Order 77, which allow the state to use the National and State Guard to support certain healthcare and vaccination efforts. The order will remain in effect until Aug. 31.

Davidson County General Sessions Judge Rachel Bell was a featured speaker at last week’s White House Eviction Prevention Summit. Bell was able to share the work being done in Davidson County through the L.E.G.A.C.Y. Housing Resource Diversionary Court, which she oversees. The court partners with the city to disperse federal CARES Act funding and with the Tennessee Supreme Court to provide mediation services to participants. Learn more about the program or watch the summit. Read a press release from the court.

The U.S. Supreme Court last week rescinded several orders it put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 19, it rescinded its March 19, 2020, order regarding filing deadlines and its April 15, 2020, order regarding the filing of documents. The court clerk also provided updated COVID-19 guidance the same day. View the orders or read more about the action from Law360.

With less than a week before federal moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures are set to expire, the Biden administration is racing to put resources in place to ensure low-income families do not lose their homes, Fox 17 reports. So far, the administration has resisted calls to extend the bans beyond the current expiration date of July 31. Instead, the government has announced plans to expand assistance for mortgage holders at risk of foreclosure by allowing certain borrowers to extend the length of their mortgages and lock in lower monthly payments. Estimates indicate that 1.55 million homeowners are seriously delinquent in their payments.