For decades Greeneville police officers have, when not busy with their other duties, unlocked free-of-charge the cars of citizens who inadvertently locked their keys inside.

But thanks to a new state law that takes effect July 1, the GPD -- and all other governmental agencies -- will be banned from unlocking vehicle doors.

As a result of the change in law, GPD Capt. Craig Fillers said on Thursday, citizens who accidentally lock their keys in their cars on and after July 1 will have to call either a locksmith or a wrecker service and pay to have their vehicle doors unlocked.

A spot-check of Greeneville-based wrecker services and locksmith firms found them quoting prices between $35 and $50 for unlocking cars within Greeneville.

Some indicated that they charge more for unlocking cars at night or for unlocking vehicles located outside Greeneville.

"We've done it forever [unlocked citizens' cars] when we had the time and people to do it," Capt. Fillers said. "But we're not going to be able to do it anymore."

Fillers said unlocking citizens' cars free-of-charge had provided "good public relations" for the police department.

The ban on governmental agencies' providing locksmith services such as unlocking vehicle doors is an outgrowth of the Locksmith Licensing Act of 2006.

Found in Tennessee Code Annotated 62-11-113, the portion of the act that bans governments from providing locksmith services is entitled "Locksmithing services prohibited by state agencies, counties and municipalities."

Specifically, 62-11-113 says, "effective July 1, 2008, state agencies, counties and municipalities are prohibited from offering locksmithing services to the general public, whether or not a fee is charged."

The new law also notes that, effective July 1, 2008, "no county or municipality shall enact any legislation or promulgate any rules or regulations relating to the licensing of locksmiths required to be licensed under this chapter."

The state law slated to take effect on July 1 also notes that "any resolution, ordinance, law, or rules or regulations of any county or municipality requiring the certifying or licensing of a locksmith, locksmith business or its employees shall be superseded by this chapter, and shall no longer be effective."

The provisions of the new law "are not intended to, and do not prevent, the legally constituted authority of any county or municipality by legislation, rules, or regulations, and within the police power of the county or municipality, from requiring locksmith businesses or licensed locksmiths to register their names, addresses, and license certificate numbers with the county or municipality within which they operate," the law says.

It also notes that counties or municipalities may also require that locksmith businesses give reasonable notice of termination of licenses of registered employees.

However, no fee may be charged, nor any application be required, by any county or municipality for the licensure of locksmiths.