1. (1) Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or this rule, constitutes retaliation.
2. (2) The exercise of rights protected under the First Amendment does not constitute retaliation.
3. (3) Charging an individual with a code of conduct violation for making a materially false statement in bad faith in the course of a grievance process does not constitute retaliation, provided, however, that a determination regarding responsibility, alone, is not sufficient to conclude that any party made a materially false statement in bad faith.
4. (4) Complaints alleging retaliation may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator who will follow the procedures and processes used for Title VII retaliation allegations.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 49-8-101(a)(2)(A), 49-8-203(a)(1)(D), and 49-8-203(a)(4). Administrative History: Emergency rules filed August 14, 2020; effective through February 10, 2021. Emergency rules expired effective February 11, 2021, and the rules reverted to their previous statuses. New rules filed May 4, 2021; effective August 2, 2021.