Tennessee Bills

HB 2420 requires Tennessee's education commissioner to close virtual schools that fail to meet academic performance standards for three consecutive years (as measured by the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System) or are identified as priority schools. It directly affects virtual schools and their operators, prohibiting nonprofit or for-profit providers from contracting to operate new virtual schools in Tennessee for five years if their school was closed due to poor academic performance. The bill mandates specific closure procedures, including notifying parents within one week and providing enrollment alternatives within 30 days. This legislation focuses on holding virtual schools accountable for student achievement while establishing clear consequences for underperforming operators.

SB 2441 requires Tennessee's education commissioner to mandate the closure of virtual schools that consistently underperform, specifically those with "significantly below expectations" student achievement for three consecutive years (measured by TVAAS) or ranking in the bottom 10% of schools. It prohibits the same nonprofit or for-profit provider from operating any new virtual school in Tennessee for five years if their existing virtual school is closed due to poor academic performance. The bill also mandates that schools notify parents in writing within one week of closure, provide enrollment alternatives within 30 days, and ensure student records are transferred properly. These provisions directly affect virtual school operators, local education agencies, and students enrolled in underperforming virtual schools. The policy aims to enforce accountability for virtual school performance through mandatory closures and provider restrictions.

SB 1945 amends Tennessee's bail laws to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order them held without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new offense while released, or disrupt trial proceedings. This directly affects defendants who are already on bail but breach their release terms. The bill requires courts to issue a written order and schedule a hearing before imposing the temporary hold, with a separate hearing needed for permanent bond revocation. The change modifies existing procedures under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 11, without creating new offenses or penalties.

SB 2004 changes Tennessee's emergency response law to allow government agencies that provide emergency aid to other agencies to request additional time for submitting a detailed invoice of costs. Currently, agencies must send the invoice within 60 days after emergency assistance ends, but this bill permits them to ask for more time due to unusual circumstances. It directly affects counties, cities, and state agencies that respond to emergency requests from other governmental entities. The amendment applies to relevant sections of Tennessee law governing emergency aid and reimbursement procedures.

SB 2141 modifies Tennessee's higher education financial aid system. It removes specific report deadlines for educational entities, updates eligibility criteria for the Tennessee Student Assistance Award (including defining "financial need" based on FAFSA data), and requires the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to review transfer pathways annually. The bill changes how aid is distributed - requiring payments directly to colleges first, with remaining funds going to students - and clarifies TSAC's authority to set rules. These changes affect Tennessee students applying for state aid, eligible colleges, and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.

HB 1899 changes Tennessee's rules for classifying homes providing care for elderly residents. It increases the maximum number of nonrelated people allowed in a "tier 1" home for the aged from three to five, and raises the minimum number required for a "tier 2" home from four to six. This means homes with four or five nonrelated residents will now be classified as tier 1 (instead of tier 2 under current rules). The bill directly affects all residential care facilities for the elderly in Tennessee that operate under these size-based classification rules.

SB 1823 shortens payment timelines for state contracts in Tennessee, requiring state departments and agencies to pay businesses within 30 days of receiving an invoice (down from 45 days). It also mandates annual reports by January 10 each year, starting in 2027, detailing the number and total amount of late payments made in the prior year, along with unpaid interest. This applies directly to all state entities contracting for property or services, including departments like transportation and education. The bill aims to improve cash flow for businesses by reducing payment delays and increasing transparency through mandatory reporting to legislative committees.

HB 1709 requires applicants for most licensed professions in Tennessee to be either a U.S. citizen or a "qualified alien" (as defined in existing law) to obtain a license, certificate, or permit. It directly affects professionals in fields covered by the amended code sections, including court reporters, lawyers, aeronautics instructors, and healthcare providers. The bill adds this citizenship or immigration status requirement to eligibility criteria across multiple licensing statutes, replacing prior language without specifying alternative qualifications. This change applies to all new applications and renewals under the affected professions, though it does not alter existing license holders' status. The bill is currently in committee review as of January 2026.

SB 1613 amends Tennessee law to allow state veterans' homes to provide services beyond skilled nursing care to honorably discharged veterans, directly affecting veterans seeking non-nursing support. The key provision (added to § 58-7-101(e)) explicitly permits homes to offer "other services for the support and care" of veterans, as authorized by existing state or federal law. This expands the range of care options available at veterans' homes without creating new services, only enabling previously authorized ones. The bill also makes minor technical updates to sections about home locations, contracts, and the purpose of veterans' homes.

HB 1922 requires sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders in Tennessee to notify a campground owner or operator in advance if they plan to stay overnight at that campground. This applies specifically to individuals required to register under state law who intend to use campground facilities. Failing to provide this notice before staying overnight would be a Class E felony offense. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2, to establish this requirement and penalty.

SB 1983 amends Tennessee law (TCA Section 67-5-2701) to change the redemption period for properties sold due to unpaid property taxes. It sets a one-year redemption period for properties with three years or less of tax delinquency, and a 90-day period for properties with more than three years of delinquency. This directly affects property owners who miss tax payments and face tax sales, giving them different timeframes to reclaim their property after a sale. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to tax sale confirmations on or after that date.

HB 1608 extends the operational lifespan of the Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education by removing its automatic expiration date, setting a new end date of June 30, 2030. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (TCA 4-29-247 and 4-29-251) to reflect this extension, ensuring the council can continue its work without needing annual renewal. This change directly affects the council’s ability to administer career and technical education programs across the state. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on the council’s ongoing authority rather than new programs or funding.