Tennessee Bills

SJR 34 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Mary Nell Bryan for her 20-year service as executive director of the Children's Hospital Alliance of Tennessee (CHAT), recognizing her retirement in May 2024. It acknowledges her advocacy on children's health issues, including efforts to expand pediatric mental health funding, CoverKids, smoke-free workplace laws, and school nutrition standards. The resolution does not create new policies or legal requirements - it is purely a formal recognition by the Tennessee General Assembly. It was introduced by Senator Powers and referenced in the Senate calendar before being withdrawn and re-referred.

SB 358 requires Tennessee's Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study the economic impact of cosmetology and barbering professions, including revenue generated and jobs supported in the state. TACIR must gather data from state agencies like the Department of Commerce and Insurance using existing resources, without new funding. After completing the study, TACIR must report findings and any proposed legislation to the chairs of relevant legislative committees (Senate Commerce and Labor, House committees) and the legislative librarian. This bill does not change current laws but aims to provide data to inform future policy decisions about these professions.

HB 293 prohibits the construction of new correctional facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes in Tennessee areas designated as 100-year flood plains. It applies to all new construction permit applications submitted on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting developers, healthcare providers, and correctional facility operators seeking to build in flood-prone zones. The bill requires all new facility components, including access points, to be built above flood levels, and prevents re-licensing of vacated facilities in flood plains that were previously licensed as hospitals, nursing homes, or correctional facilities. Existing facilities in flood plains may add new sections above flood level but cannot convert vacated portions back to their original use. The law amends Tennessee zoning codes to enforce these flood-risk restrictions.

HB 58 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to contact a job candidate's previous law enforcement employers as part of verifying their "good moral character" during hiring. This applies directly to police departments and sheriff's offices when vetting new officers or special deputies. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate this specific step in the background check process. As a procedural change to hiring requirements, it does not alter substantive law or create new penalties.

HB 1266 requires metals recycling facilities in Tennessee to post a visible notice at **every public entrance** (not just a general location) informing sellers that they must obtain a signed written acknowledgment before transferring dangerous materials. This affects facilities that accept metals from the public, specifically ensuring sellers are notified about the requirement for written confirmation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1403 and related chapters to update the posting location requirement. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and is a procedural change to existing criminal law.

HB 1230 amends Tennessee law (TCA § 49-2-136) to change how the Department of Education reports on compliance with foster care student athletic participation rules. It requires local education agencies and public charter schools to submit reports only when requested by the Senate or House education committees, rather than annually. This change streamlines reporting by eliminating the annual requirement, focusing instead on committee-driven documentation of schools' adherence to notice rules for foster youth seeking interscholastic athletics. The bill does not alter the underlying requirement for schools to notify athletic associations about foster care placements.

SB 649 would authorize recall elections for members of local school boards in every Tennessee county. The bill removes a specific provision (subsection (e)) from existing law that previously restricted such recalls, enabling voters to initiate removals of school board members before their term ends. If enacted, this change would directly affect all 95 county school boards and the process for holding recalls statewide. The bill focuses on modifying election procedures without altering school board duties or funding.

HB 1152 eliminates most state requirements for parents homeschooling their children in Tennessee, directly affecting homeschooling parents and students. It removes the need for annual notice to school districts, prohibits state-mandated testing, and bans state regulation of homeschooling unless families join a state program or accept state funds. The bill requires only that parents provide a "normed curriculum" (a pre-approved educational plan) to their children, with no additional oversight or documentation demands from the state. Exceptions apply only if homeschoolers voluntarily participate in state programs with stricter requirements or receive state funding.

SB 122, as introduced, would have reduced state oversight for Tennessee home school parents by eliminating most regulatory requirements. It would have required parents to submit basic student information (names, ages, grades) and use a "normed curriculum" they approved, but prohibited the state, school districts, or local governments from mandating standardized tests, documentation of teaching materials, or other oversight - unless parents voluntarily joined a state program or received state funds. The bill aimed to limit state involvement to cases where families opted into state-administered programs. However, the bill was withdrawn on February 12, 2025, and did not become law.

HB 768 requires public charter schools in Tennessee to adopt internet acceptable use policies identical to those mandated for traditional school districts. It prohibits all schools (including charter schools) from tracking or monitoring students' use of personal electronic devices on school property, except when devices are used during tests. The bill amends Tennessee law to ensure consistent rules for both school districts and public charter schools regarding device monitoring. It directly affects all public K-12 schools in Tennessee by standardizing device policy requirements and limiting monitoring practices. The law would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

HB 1042 removes outdated language from Tennessee law that previously referenced a specific compliance date (January 1, 2012) for private employers seeking economic development incentives under the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 50-1-707 to delete the obsolete date reference, updating the statute to reflect current requirements. This technical correction directly affects private employers applying for economic development incentives who must comply with the Lawful Employment Act. The change has no new policy impact - it simply removes outdated language from the code.

HB 607 changes a requirement for Tennessee's Workers' Compensation Advisory Council. The bill shortens the deadline for providing meeting summaries to legislative committees from 10 business days to 10 calendar days, meaning the council must submit summaries within 10 days including weekends and holidays. This directly affects the advisory council and legislative committees overseeing commerce issues. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 50, to update this provision.