Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 1:50pm CST
English-only workplace bill advances
by Brandon Gee Staff Writer

After some last minute negotiations and word-smithing, the House Employee Affairs Subcommittee unanimously approved legislation allowing Tennessee employers to institute English-only policies in the workplace.

House Bill 2685, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, allows English-only policies if they are based on business necessity or safety. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition withdrew its objections to the bill, which was amended to more specifically define what constitutes business necessity and safety.

“We are at a point that we do not oppose this language that (Hill) has,â€