Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires boards of education that contract for transportation services with persons owning equipment to provide school transportation facilities to all students who live more than 1.5 miles by the nearest accessible route from the school to which they are assigned by the board of education and in which they are enrolled. - Amends TCA Title 49; Title 55, Chapter 4; Title 55, Chapter 50 and Title 55, Chapter 8.

SB 1896 requires Tennessee school boards to provide school transportation for students living more than 1.5 miles from their assigned school by the nearest safe route, *only* when the board contracts with external transportation providers. This applies directly to students in districts using third-party bus services and mandates that school boards ensure these students have access to transportation facilities. The bill amends Tennessee education codes to clarify this requirement, specifically targeting scenarios where boards outsource transportation rather than operating their own fleets. It takes effect July 1, 2026.