NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Wednesday, Governor Bill Lee signed the Dallas Law. This law requires security guards at bars to receive CPR certification and de-escalation training. It also requires bouncers to receive background checks.

This law is a direct response to Dallas “DJ” Barrett’s death. Investigations revealed that unlicensed security guards handled Barrett within the bar during an altercation in August 2021.  When officers arrived, they found Barrett, 22, unresponsive on the floor of the rooftop. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide and determined his cause of death was asphyxiation. Asphyxiation is the state or process of being deprived of oxygen.

Now, this new law has requirements for both unarmed and armed security guards. Both must complete four hours of general training, complete de-escalation techniques, and hold a current certification from the American Red Cross to render CPR. This law will go into effect on January 1, 2023.