Tennessee Code Title 10. Public Libraries, Archives and Records § 10-5-201

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, upon July 1, 1999, all full-time employees of the regional library system shall be transferred to the department of state and shall become employees of the office of the secretary of state in the manner provided by § 8-30-102(a).

(b) Full-time employees of regional libraries transferred to the department of state shall be entitled to the same benefits enjoyed by other state employees, including retirement benefits, annual and sick leave, participation in any deferred compensation plan, eligibility for health and accident insurance, longevity pay, sick leave banks, bereavement leave, and all other such benefits.

(c) Full-time employees of regional libraries transferred to the department of state shall retain their salaries existing at the time of transfer. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any benefits of any kind for state employees that were provided to the employees of a regional library during their employment by the regional library are hereby approved, validated and ratified from the date such benefits were conferred or given to the employees by any department, agency or institution of higher education of the state.