Rep. Kevin Raper

Maddy summaryHJR 910 is a joint resolution honoring Delinda "Dale" Dixson, a longtime Bradley County public servant who dedicated 41 years to county government. The resolution recognizes her service as a Deputy Clerk and later Administrative Assistant to the Circuit Court Clerk, her community involvement, and her personal legacy of integrity. It was unanimously passed by the Tennessee House, concurred by the Senate, and signed into law by the Governor in February 2026. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies - it formally commemorates Dixson's life and contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 1701 would require Tennessee public school districts and charter schools to install continuous video surveillance in special education classrooms, but only with written consent from parents of a majority of students in those classrooms. The bill mandates that footage can only be viewed by parents of featured students and must comply with privacy laws like FERPA. It applies to all special education classrooms where students receive such services for at least 50% of the instructional day. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn on February 2, 2026, and is not currently in effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1700 requires Tennessee public school districts to report students who were formally truant in a public school but are now enrolled in a home school to juvenile court. It also mandates that unexcused absences from a student’s previous school district follow them to their new school if they transfer mid-year, affecting how schools track absences for truancy purposes. The bill directly impacts students, parents, school officials, and juvenile courts by changing reporting rules and attendance record-keeping. It amends Tennessee education codes to implement these requirements, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Tennessee's legal definition of a dependent and neglected child to include situations where a parent or guardian cannot care for the child due to circumstances beyond their control. It requires that this determination be made by a judge during a formal court hearing, ensuring the inability to provide care is officially verified before a child is classified as dependent or neglected. The changes apply to children affected by unforeseen hardships that prevent their caregivers from meeting their needs, while maintaining judicial oversight to confirm the specific conditions are met. This legislation updates existing state codes to broaden protections for vulnerable children while adding procedural safeguards for families facing unexpected challenges.

Maddy summaryHB 1008 increases penalties for selling vapor products to minors in Tennessee, elevating violations to a Class A misdemeanor (a more serious criminal charge) from a Class C misdemeanor. It requires all vape retailers to obtain a $250 annual license from the Department of Commerce and Insurance starting December 1, 2025, and mandates face-to-face sales only at licensed, age-restricted businesses (requiring ID verification for all customers). The bill also establishes civil penalties for license violations and defines key terms like "vapor product" and "age-restricted business." This directly affects vape retailers and underage buyers by creating new licensing requirements and stricter enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 434 prohibits naming public facilities (like parks or buildings) after current or recently departed local public officials for two years after they leave office, unless private funds cover the naming costs. It also bans using public funds for charitable donations made "in the name of" an official, requiring such donations to be attributed to the public entity instead. The bill further prohibits naming facilities for officials convicted of felonies or crimes of moral turpitude. These rules apply to local governments and elected or appointed officials covered under Tennessee law. The bill includes exceptions for facilities named before an official took office or for deceased/veteran officials.

Maddy summaryHB 60 requires the Tennessee Department of Transportation to install signs or markers displaying a symbol indicating family restrooms at rest areas and welcome centers along highways. It also mandates the department to list these facilities with family restrooms on its website. A "family restroom" is defined as a fully enclosed, lockable space suitable for families, individuals with disabilities, or those needing assistance. The law, effective May 15, 2025, directly affects motorists using Tennessee highway rest areas and welcome centers.

Maddy summaryHB 133 expands an existing pilot program to allow one new residential facility for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to operate in Tennessee's eastern grand division, which previously only had facilities in the western and middle divisions. The bill requires new facilities in the eastern division to meet specific criteria, including owning at least 26 acres of land in a designated county, offering services for up to 60 additional adults, and maintaining tax-exempt status. Applications for the eastern division pilot must be submitted by March 31, 2026, with facilities needing completion by June 30, 2028. This change amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 33 and 52 to formally establish the eastern division requirement within the pilot program's structure.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (HJR 578) honors Kimora Fields, a student-athlete from Bradley Central High School, for her academic achievements (4.0 GPA), leadership, and athletic accomplishments including 2,055 career basketball points, three state championships, and the TSSAA 4A Miss Basketball award. It recognizes her community service through volunteer work with local organizations. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect or policy changes - it solely serves to publicly commend her accomplishments.

Maddy summaryHB 61 allows child welfare officials to subpoena a student's complete attendance history - including all prior public school years - in educational neglect cases, while requiring compliance with FERPA and other privacy laws. This affects child protective services, schools providing records, and students whose attendance data is requested. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly permit these subpoenas for comprehensive attendance records during neglect investigations. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing privacy protections governing student data.